Escaping Dementia: Early Warnings from Protein Indicators by Beijing Normal University

This work explores the predictive potential of plasma biomarkers, including GFAP, NEFL, and GDF15, in dementia diagnosis. By demonstrating their strong association with Alzheimer’s Disease, All-Cause Dementia, and Vascular Dementias, it highlights the importance of early detection and timely intervention.
It begins with an introduction to the three biomarkers, explaining their critical roles in predicting dementia. Adjacent to this, clock-like visuals represent the three diseases, with hands displaying the corresponding Hazard Ratios (HR) for each biomarker. The clocks serve as a metaphor for time, emphasizing the urgency of acting within a limited window to prevent irreversible disease progression.
As users scroll, an elderly silhouette at the top of the screen begins to fall, gradually fading away. This descent symbolizes the cognitive and emotional decline caused by dementia, capturing the loss of self as memory and identity are eroded. The figure is eventually engulfed by waves, constructed from the 13-year trajectories of the biomarkers.
Each wave corresponds to one year, with its height reflecting protein levels and its shape illustrating changes over time. Together, the waves narrate the gradual progression of dementia, underscoring the critical shifts in biomarker levels long before symptoms appear. They serve as a powerful reminder of the consequences of inaction while reinforcing the need for early intervention.
Through a combination of visuals and interactive elements, this work aims to raise awareness of the importance of timely detection and intervention, highlighting its promise to reshape the course of dementia.