HEARTSPOT: A smart aid for emergency doctors helping people with Alzheimer's and related dementias when heart issues arise
Official title: Project 1 - HEARTSPOT: Evaluating a Machine Learning System to Aid Decision-Making in the Emergency Department for Patients with ADRD
Funded at National Bureau of Economic Research · NIH-11420399 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A team is testing a smart AI tool that helps ED clinicians make better treatment choices for people with ADRD who have acute heart problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | National Bureau of Economic Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 1997 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $280,729 |
| NIH project number | 5P01AG005842-37 |
| Project ID | NIH-11420399 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with Alzheimer’s disease or other related dementias who present to the emergency department with acute coronary syndrome concerns.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without ADRD or those not experiencing ACS symptoms may not directly benefit from this tool.
What this research studies
In this project, an augmented intelligence system is integrated into the hospital’s electronic medical records and evaluated through a randomized design. The tool analyzes patient data to identify ACS risk signals and provides clinicians with synthesized risk information at the point of care. The goal is to support faster, more informed decisions about ACS treatment for ADRD patients, who often have complex care needs. The study is conducted in a large health system to understand how the AI-assisted decision aid works in real-world emergency department settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the tool could improve the accuracy and timeliness of heart-attack decisions for ADRD patients, potentially reducing harm and improving outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests AI decision aids can improve clinical workflow and decision quality, but direct use in ADRD ED settings is still being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
National Bureau of Economic Research
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Baicker, Katherine — National Bureau of Economic Research
- Study coordinator: Baicker, Katherine
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.