Brainet and SimonMed Imaging have announced a partnership to advance the diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Image courtesy: Getty Images
June 12, 2024 — Brainet, a developer of cutting-edge diagnostic tools for assessing brain health, and SimonMed Imaging, one of the largest outpatient medical imaging providers and radiology practices in the United States, have announced a partnership to advance the diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
Combining the power of artificial intelligence (AI) with the insights provided by resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), this collaboration aims to redefine the approach to diagnosing neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, employing a sophisticated understanding of brain network functionality, according to a statement detailing the partnership.
"Integrating AI with our advanced imaging techniques will allow us to detect subtle changes in brain activity indicative of neurodegenerative diseases at their nascent stage. This approach not only paves the way for novel treatment options but also promises to enhance patient outcomes worldwide,” said David Lefkowitz, MD, Medical Director of MRI at SimonMed.
The partnership utilizes state of the art pipelines to analyze resting state fMRI data, which tracks the oxygenation levels of blood in the brain, highlighting the oscillation between oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin. The company statement further offered that this method reveals the synchronous or asynchronous functioning of brain networks related to crucial functions such as vision, hearing, sensorimotor skills, language, executive control, emotion, and memory. By comparing these networks against a control group of over 1,200 normal adults, the AI technology aims to identify early signs of neurodegenerative diseases more accurately than ever before.
Brainet, led by CEO Andrea Soddu, stands at the forefront of neurotechnology and AI research, committed to developing cutting-edge diagnostic tools for assessing brain health. The London Ontario, Canada-based company's focus on neuroimaging analysis and classification cements its position as a leader in neurological innovation.
One of the largest outpatient medical imaging providers and radiology practices in the United States, Scottsdale, AZ-based SimonMed has approximately 170 sites across 11 states, and over 200 subspecialty-trained radiologists. The company reports it is a worldwide leader in the clinical use of AI to improve diagnoses with one of the largest global deployments to enhance early breast cancer detection and in the evaluation of brain disorders. Offering the full modality of diagnostic scans, including 3T MRI, CT, ultrasound, 3-D mammography, PET/CT, nuclear medicine, DEXA, X-rays, among others, the company uses the newest, most advanced, diagnostic imaging technologies while maintaining affordability and accessibility.
More information: www.SimonMed.com
August 18, 2026 
