FRONTEO Joins AMED’s “Dementia Research and Development Project” with Oita University and Beppu City

Developing and Evaluating a New Model Using the Equation-Driven AI "KIBIT" for the Early Detection of Alzheimer's Disease, Which Begins Approximately 20 Years Before Onset
— Demonstrated Through a Cohort Study of Approximately 800 Beppu Residents —

Tokyo, Japan, June 23, 2026 - FRONTEO, Inc. (Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan; President & CEO: Masahiro Morimoto; hereinafter “FRONTEO”) will participate in the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)'s Reiwa 8 (FY2026) Dementia Research and Development Project. This project is a prospective cohort study^*1 initiated by Oita University (located in Oita City; hereinafter “Oita University”) and Beppu City, Oita Prefecture (hereinafter “Beppu City”), with Beppu City serving as the demonstration site. FRONTEO will conduct research on an AI-based model for the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease using its proprietary equation-driven AI “KIBIT”^*2.

■ Research Overview

This research will be led by Oita University and Beppu City. The pilot study will be conducted from September 2026 to March 31, 2031, with 800 participants aged 50 to 89 who reside in Beppu City. In addition to physical measurements, cognitive function tests, depression assessments, and various questionnaires, participants will undergo the collection of blood and bodily fluids, as well as the measurement of blood biomarkers^*3; collection of physiological data—such as physical activity, sleep, and heart rate—using wristband-type biosensors^*4; and testing of specimens for viruses, gut microbiota, and periodontal bacteria.

Furthermore, for participants suspected of having mild cognitive impairment based on the results of cognitive function tests, the study will include Brain MRI scans, FDG-PET scans^*5, additional cognitive function tests, and amyloid PET scans.^*6

Through these efforts, the study aims to identify risk and protective factors for dementia—particularly in the as-yet-unresolved areas of sleep, infectious diseases, and genetics—and to develop methods for the diagnosis and prevention of Alzheimer's disease using biosensors.

■ From Pilot Studies to Social Implementation

This research aims to facilitate the social implementation of its findings by incorporating them into municipal health checkups and primary care practices. This will contribute to improving and streamlining diagnosis, addressing the shortage of specialists, and promoting telemedicine, while also aiming to curb medical and long-term care insurance costs and extend healthy life expectancy.

Through the research, development, and social implementation of innovative technologies, FRONTEO is committed to advancing the early detection and prevention of dementia, as well as to improving the quality of medical care and the quality of life (QOL) for the elderly.

Notes:

*1 prospective cohort study: A study that tracks a large number of participants over a long period to identify risk factors and causes of disease.
*2 equation-driven AI “KIBIT”: An artificial intelligence independently developed by FRONTEO. By utilizing mathematical equations, KIBIT enables discontinuous discoveries, identification of causal relationships, and highly accurate, reproducible analyses. Its lightweight learning process enables high-speed, high-precision analysis on a single personal computer.
*3 blood biomarkers: Substances such as proteins found in the blood that serve as biological indicators for objectively evaluating the presence or progression of disease, as well as treatment efficacy
*4 wristband-type biosensor: A wristband-style wearable device worn on the wrist that continuously measures and records physiological data such as heart rate and activity levels
*5 FDG-PET scan: A test in which FDG, a radioactive tracer with properties similar to glucose, is administered to visualize glucose metabolism in the brain. It can identify areas of impaired brain function and is used to aid in the diagnosis of dementia, among other applications
*6 amyloid PET scan: A brain imaging test that visualizes the accumulation of amyloid-β in the brain

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