Samsung's Innovative Feature to Detect Early Signs of Dementia through Wearables

As technology continues to evolve, the integration of health monitoring features into everyday devices becomes increasingly sophisticated. Samsung is taking a significant step forward with its newly announced feature, reportedly dubbed "Brain Health," which aims to help detect early signs of dementia through data collected from their wearables. This initiative represents a promising approach to mental health monitoring, potentially changing how we address cognitive health.

Samsung recently teased the upcoming "Brain Health" feature designed to identify early warning signs of dementia. The feature was formally introduced at the CES 2026 First Look event by Praveen Raja, Samsung's Vice President and Head of Digital Health. While the term "Brain Health" is not yet officially confirmed, the goal remains clear: monitor cognitive function changes and provide early alerts for potential mental health issues.

The anticipated feature will enable devices such as the Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Ring to observe user interactions and behaviors, including their interactions with smart home devices and communication styles with Samsung's Bixby assistant. Such monitoring could help in identifying long-term cognitive changes at a nascent stage.

Samsung emphasizes that this feature is not intended for diagnosing dementia or other mental illnesses, but rather for notification purposes, enabling users and families to seek medical assistance when they notice possible signs of cognitive decline. Furthermore, partnerships with research experts are underway to refine this innovative functionality, with beta testing expected to roll out in select countries soon.

AI will play a crucial part in the development of all health-related features across Samsung devices. The company's plans include utilizing AI to assess health data gathered from various sources, creating tailored health recommendations based on individual profiles and potential health risks. These personalized metrics aim to enhance user awareness regarding their health status.

As Samsung works on advancing wearable technology, recent innovations have already introduced new metrics such as the Antioxidant Index in the Galaxy Watch 8. This new feature tracks carotenoid levels, reflecting users' intake of nutrient-rich foods. Alongside traditional health tracking capabilities, such as sleep and blood pressure management, Samsung aims to equip wearables with tools that also facilitate mental health monitoring, notably addressing pressing issues like dementia.

Dementia remains a critical global health concern, affecting over 6 million individuals in the United States alone, contributing to more than 100,000 fatalities each year. Samsung's focus on creating features that could assist in early detection of this condition is timely and necessary, potentially enabling users to access help before the condition escalates.

Samsung’s forthcoming initiatives indicate a shift towards using wearables for preventive healthcare rather than just for monitoring standard health metrics. This strategy aligns with industry trends, such as Apple's efforts with the Apple Watch to provide tools for detecting early-stage health issues.