The Korea National Institute of Health (KNIH) has published a comprehensive report on the achievements of the ‘BRIDGE’ project, which aims to establish a research infrastructure for brain diseases. Since 2021, this national initiative has focused on early diagnosis, prognosis prediction, and the development of personalized disease management strategies for dementia and Parkinson’s disease. Notably, the project emphasizes collecting and analyzing data specific to the Korean population, providing a foundation for disease management throughout all stages. The report highlights the significance of building a national cohort and data infrastructure, as well as the development of technologies applicable to clinical practice.
The report covers three core research areas: AI and imaging-based early diagnosis, intervention and management strategies for clinical and public use, and personalized disease management reflecting Korean-specific characteristics. To date, 101 papers have been published in international journals, and five patents have been filed, with 45.5% of publications in the top 5% by mrnIF as of 2025. A key achievement includes using deep learning models to analyze large-scale MRI data, enabling quantitative assessment of individual brain changes and early identification of high-risk patients.
Field-applicable research includes a multi-center study analyzing the relationship between physical activity, blood biomarkers, and cognitive function in 1,144 Korean adults. The study found that groups with higher physical activity had lower levels of neurodegeneration-related biomarkers and better cognitive function. Published in JAMA Network Open, this result demonstrates the link between lifestyle factors and biological indicators. The project also identified genetic factors for rare early-onset dementia and discovered unique Alzheimer’s risk factors in Koreans, further advancing population-specific research.
KNIH emphasizes that the BRIDGE project’s achievements mark the first step toward early diagnosis, prediction, and personalized management of dementia and Parkinson’s disease. Commissioner Seungkwan Lim highlighted the importance of building a national cohort and data infrastructure, promising continued research and innovation. The report is available on the official websites of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and KNIH, serving as a valuable resource for understanding the current state and future potential of national brain disease research.
These research outcomes demonstrate the potential of precision medicine based on Korean-specific data. The integration of AI and deep learning for imaging analysis, along with studies linking lifestyle factors to biomarkers, significantly enhances the accuracy of early diagnosis and prediction. Such data-driven approaches lay the groundwork for developing personalized treatments and prevention strategies, positioning Korea as a leader in global brain disease research.