Machine learning, Artificial intelligence, Neuro Imaging Focusing On Longevity and Dementia (MANIFOLD), James H Cole

Speaker: James H Cole, PhD | Professor of Neuroimage Computing, Department of Computer Science, UCL

Date: Monday, April 20th, 2026

Time: 10:00 AM Central Time

Location: Zoom

Title: “Machine learning, Artificial intelligence, Neuro Imaging Focusing on Longevity and Dementia (MANIFOLD)”

Abstract:Brain health is one of the key challenges for society in the 21st century, and much progress has been made in understanding and treating brain health conditions, aided by growing use of neuroimaging. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) technologies have revolutionised many domains, including healthcare. However, there is still a translational gap between AI/ML methods and the use of neuroimaging to help patients with neurodegenerative conditions. My talk will provide an overview of the research of the MANIFOLD lab at UCL, that aims to bridge this gap and provide clinically useful neuroimaging tools to improve brain health. I will focus on methods that emphasise the individual patient, namely the brain-age paradigm and neuroanatomical normative modelling, applied to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies and frontotemporal dementia. Beyond this, I will talk about our research in explainable AI (XAI), AI/ML data fusion, automated ML and accessible MRI using portable scanners and how we have or plan to apply these in studies of brain diseases.

Bio: James Cole is Professor of Neuroimage Computing at the UCL Hawkes Institute and the Dementia Research Centre (DRC) at University College London (UCL). He has worked in neuroimaging since 2006 and been based at King’s College London, Imperial College London and UCL. His interests include brain ageing, neurological and psychiatric diseases, with a particular focus on neurodegeneration and dementia. His research uses machine learning, deep learning and advanced statistical methods with the goal of developing clinically useful neuroimaging tools. He is Principal Investigator of the MANIFOLD Lab.