Comparison of neural network and logistic regression for dementia prediction: results from the PREADViSE trial

Objective. Two systematic reviews suggest that current parametric predictive models are not recommended for use in population dementia diagnostic screening. This study was to compare predictive performance between logistic regression (conventional method) and neural network (non-conventional method). Method. Neural network analysis was performed through the R package "Neuralnet" by using the same covariates as the logistic regression model. Results. Results show that neural network had a slightly apparently better predictive performance (area under curve (AUC): 0.732 neural network vs. 0.725 logistic regression). Neural network performed similarly as logistic regression. Furthermore, logistic regression confirmed that the interaction effect among covariates, which elucidated from neural network. Conclusions. Neural network performed slightly apparently better than logistic regression, and it is able to elucidate complicated relationships among covariates.