A CUHK programme that raises public awareness of dementia has received a HK$5 million funding boost from a charity gala dinner to upgrade its service with artificial intelligence. The BEAT AD Charity Gala Dinner, co-organised by the University and the Charles K. Kao Foundation for Alzheimer’s Disease, was held on 9 November at Regent Hong Kong to support the expansion of the BEAT AD Service programme that they co-launched last year.

Gwen Kao, chairman of the foundation, thanked supporters of the scheme in a recorded message presented at the dinner. “Research into dementia’s causes and possible prevention, continuing education on methodologies and the search for a cure are never-ending,” she said. “My heartfelt gratitude goes to our supporters, sponsors and donors for their many contributions, not only this evening but through the years since the Foundation’s inception.”

The BEAT AD (Brain Health Service for Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease) Service pilot programme aims to provide free initial screening assessments by nurses for the elderly who are recently suspected of having cognitive impairment and faced with financial difficulties. Professor Vincent Mok Chung-tong and Dr Chiu Ha-ying, co-executive directors of BEAT AD, explained the aim of the service: “Recent global research shows that dementia can be prevented if we can tackle various modifiable risk factors before disabling symptoms set in. The BEAT AD Service is the first of its kind to utilise AI-powered retinal imaging technology for brain health assessment and tailor-made recommendations for individuals to reduce the risk of dementia.”

Patron and project ambassador of BEAT AD Service Dr Brigitte Lin Ching-hsia brought the evening to a climax with her Peking opera performance – her debut – and a duet with pop singer Keung To. She shared: “One fears not cognitive impairment but instead, the lack of cognition. Let us work together to combat dementia, keep the memories close to our hearts and live our lives with no regrets.”