This is an unedited manuscript accepted for publication and provided as an Article in Press for early access at the author’s request. The article will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and galley proof review before final publication. Please be aware that errors may be identified during production that could affect the content. All legal disclaimers of the journal apply.
Altaf O. Mulani,
- Professor, Department of Electronics and Telecommunication, SKN Sinhgad College of Engineering, Maharashtra, India
Abstract
Early detection of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is crucial to slowing cognitive decline and enabling timely clinical interventions. Traditional diagnostic methods, including cognitive tests and single-model classifiers, have limited sensitivity during early stages of the disease. This paper presents a deep ensemble learning approach that integrates multiple convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for accurate Alzheimer’s disease detection using structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) data. The proposed framework utilizes ResNet50, VGG16, and DenseNet121 as base learners and a meta-learner based on gradient boosting for final classification. Preprocessing includes skull stripping, normalization, and spatial smoothing. Data augmentation enhances generalization, and feature fusion at the decision level improves robustness. We evaluate our approach on the ADNI dataset using five fold cross-validation. The ensemble model outperforms individual CNNs, achieving 94.3% accuracy, 95% precision, 93.5% recall, and 94.2% F1-score. SHAP-based interpretability further enables visualization of brain regions influencing predictions. The study concludes that deep ensemble learning provides a powerful, scalable framework for early-stage AD prediction and has strong potential for integration into clinical decision support systems.
Keywords: Alzheimer’s Disease, CNN, Deep Learning, Ensemble Learning, MRI
Altaf O. Mulani. Early Alzheimer’s Disease Detection Using Deep Ensemble Learning and MRI Image Analysis. Research and Reviews : Journal of Computational Biology. 2026; 15(01):-.
Altaf O. Mulani. Early Alzheimer’s Disease Detection Using Deep Ensemble Learning and MRI Image Analysis. Research and Reviews : Journal of Computational Biology. 2026; 15(01):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/rrjocb/article=2026/view=235696
References
- Liu M, et al. 3D CNN for AD classification using MRI. Med Image Anal.
- Sarraf S, Tofighi G. DeepAD: MRI-based diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. arXiv preprint.
- Cheng D, et al. Multi-view CNN for early AD detection. Brain Inform.
- Islam J, Zhang Y. DenseNet for AD classification. Comput Biol Med.
- Suk HI, et al. Hybrid ensemble for MCI and AD diagnosis. 2017.
- Hosseini-Asl E, et al. 3D-CNN-RNN ensemble for AD diagnosis. 2018.
- Lundervold AS, Lundervold A. Explaining CNNs in neuroimaging. Front Neurosci.
- Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) dataset. Available from: .
- SHAP documentation. Available from: https://shap.readthedocs.io/.
- He K, et al. Deep residual learning for image recognition. Proc CVPR.
- Simonyan K, Zisserman A. Very deep CNNs for image recognition. Proc ICLR.
- Huang G, et al. Densely connected CNNs. Proc CVPR.
- Godase MV, Mulani A, Ghodak MR, Birajadar MG, Takale MS, Kolte M. A MapReduce and Kalman filter based secure IIoT environment in Hadoop. 2024;19(June).
- Gadade B, Mulani AO, Harale AD. IoT based smart school bus and student tracking system. 2024;19(June).
- Dhanawadel A, Mulani AO, Pise AC. IOT based smart farming using Agri BOT. 2024;20(June).
- Mulani A, Mane PB. DWT based robust invisible watermarking. Scholars’ Press.
- Ghodke RG, Birajdar GB, Mulani AO, Shinde GN, Pawar RB. Design and development of an efficient and cost-effective surveillance quadcopter using Arduino. 2024;20(June).
- Ghodke RG, Birajdar GB, Mulani AO, Shinde GN, Pawar RB. Design and development of wireless controlled robot using Bluetooth technology. 2024;20(June).
- Swami SS, Mulani AO. An efficient FPGA implementation of discrete wavelet transform for image compression. In: Proc ICECDS. IEEE; 2017. p. 3385–3389.
- Mane PB, Mulani AO. High speed area efficient FPGA implementation of AES algorithm. Int J Reconfigurable Embedded Syst. 2018;7(3):157–165.
- Mulani AO, Mane PB. Area efficient high speed FPGA based invisible watermarking for image authentication. Indian J Sci Technol. 2016;9(39):1–6.
- Kashid MM, Karande KJ, Mulani AO. IoT-based environmental parameter monitoring using machine learning approach. In: Proc Int Conf Cogn Intell Comput (ICCIC 2021). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore; 2022. p. 43–51.
- Nagane UP, Mulani AO. Moving object detection and tracking using Matlab. J Sci Technol. 2021;6(1):2456–5660.
- Kulkarni PR, Mulani AO, Mane PB. Robust invisible watermarking for image authentication. In: Emerg Trends Electr Commun Inf Technol: Proc ICECIT-2015. Singapore: Springer Singapore; 2016. p. 193–200.
- Ghodake MRG, Mulani MA. Sensor based automatic drip irrigation system. J Res. 2016;2(02).
- Mandwale AJ, Mulani AO. Different approaches for implementation of Viterbi decoder on reconfigurable platform. In: Proc Int Conf Pervasive Comput (ICPC). IEEE; 2015. p. 1–4.
- Jadhav MM, Chavan GH, Mulani AO. Machine learning based autonomous fire combat turret. Turk J Comput Math Educ. 2021;12(2):2372–2381.
- Shinde G, Mulani A. A robust digital image watermarking using DWT-PCA. Int J Innov Eng Res Technol. 2019;6(4):1–7.
- Mane DP, Mulani AO. High throughput and area efficient FPGA implementation of AES algorithm. Int J Eng Adv Technol. 2019;8(4).
- Mulani AO, Mane DP. An efficient implementation of DWT for image compression on reconfigurable platform. Int J Control Theory Appl. 2017;10(15):1–7.
- Deshpande HS, Karande KJ, Mulani AO. Area optimized implementation of AES algorithm on FPGA. In: Proc Int Conf Commun Signal Process (ICCSP). IEEE; 2015. p. 0010–0014.
- Kulkarni P, Mulani AO. Robust invisible digital image mamarking using discrete wavelet transform. Int J Eng Res Technol (IJERT). 2015;4(01):139–141.
- Mulani AO, Jadhav MM, Seth M. Painless non-invasive blood glucose concentration level estimation using PCA and machine learning. In: Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT) and Smart Materials for Energy Applications. CRC Press; 2022.
- Mulani AO, Shinde GN. An approach for robust digital image watermarking using DWT-PCA. J Sci Technol. 2021;6(1).
- Mulani AO, Mane PB. Area optimization of cryptographic algorithm on less dense reconfigurable platform. In: Proc Int Conf Smart Struct Syst (ICSSS). IEEE; 2014. p. 86–89.
- Jadhav HM, Mulani A, Jadhav MM. Design and development of chatbot based on reinforcement learning. In: Machine Learning Algorithms for Signal and Image Processing. p. 219–229.
- Mulani AO, Mane P. Secure and area efficient implementation of digital image watermarking on reconfigurable platform. Int J Innov Technol Explor Eng. 2018;8(2):56–61.
- Kalyankar PA, Mulani AO, Thigale SP, Chavhan PG, Jadhav MM. Scalable face image retrieval using AESC technique. J Algebraic Stat. 2022;13(3):173–176.
- Takale S, Mulani A. DWT-PCA based video watermarking. J Electron Comput Netw Appl Math (JECNAM). 2022;ISSN 2799-1156.
- Kamble A, Mulani AO. Google assistant based device control. Int J Aquat Sci. 2022;13(1):550–555.
- Kondekar RP, Mulani AO. Raspberry Pi based voice operated robot. Int J Recent Eng Res Dev. 2017;2(12):69–76.
- Ghodake RG, Mulani AO. Microcontroller based automatic drip irrigation system. In: Techno-Societal 2016: Proc Int Conf Adv Technol Societal Appl. Springer Int Publishing; 2018. p. 109–115.
- Mulani AO, Birajadar G, Ivković N, Salah B, Darlis AR. Deep learning based detection of dermatological diseases using convolutional neural networks and decision trees. Trait Signal. 2023;40(6):2819.
- Boxey A, Jadhav A, Gade P, Ghanti P, Mulani AO. Face recognition using Raspberry Pi. J Image Process Intell Remote Sens (JIPIRS). 2022;ISSN 2815-0953.
- Patale JP, Jagadale AB, Mulani AO, Pise A. A systematic survey on estimation of electrical vehicle. J Electron Comput Netw Appl Math (JECNAM). 2023;ISSN 2799-1156.
- Gadade B, Mulani A. Automatic system for car health monitoring. Int J Innov Eng Res Technol. 2022:57–62.
- Shinde MRS, Mulani AO. Analysis of biomedical image using wavelet transform. Int J Innov Eng Res Technol. 2015;2(7):1–7.
- Mandwale A, Mulani AO. Implementation of convolutional encoder & different approaches for Viterbi decoder. In: Proc IEEE Int Conf Commun Signal Process Comput Inf Technol.
- Mulani AO, Jadhav MM, Seth M. Painless machine learning approach to estimate blood glucose level with non-invasive devices. In: Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT) and Smart Materials for Energy Applications. CRC Press; 2022. p. 83–100.
- Maske Y, Jagadale AB, Mulani AO, Pise AC. Development of BIOBOT system to assist COVID patient and caretakers. Eur J Mol Clin Med. 2023;10(01).
- Utpat VB, Karande DK, Mulani DA. Grading of pomegranate using quality analysis. Int J Res Appl Sci Eng Technol (IJRASET).
- Takale S, Mulani DA. Video watermarking system. Int J Res Appl Sci Eng Technol (IJRASET). 2022;10.
- Mandwale A, Mulani AO. Different approaches for implementation of Viterbi decoder. In: Proc IEEE Int Conf Pervasive Comput (ICPC).
- Maske Y, Jagadale MA, Mulani AO, Pise A. Implementation of BIOBOT system for COVID patient and caretakers assistant using IOT. Int J Inf Technol. 2021:30–43.
- Mulani AO, Mane DP. Fast and efficient VLSI implementation of DWT for image compression. Int J Res Appl Sci Eng Technol. 2016;5:1397–1402.
- Kambale A. Home automation using Google assistant. UGC Care Approved J. 2023;32(1):1071–1077.
- Pathan AN, Shejal SA, Salgar SA, Harale AD, Mulani AO. Hand gesture controlled robotic system. Int J Aquat Sci. 2022;13(1):487–493.
- Korake DM, Mulani AO. Design of computer/laptop independent data transfer system from one USB flash drive to another using ARM11 processor. Int J Sci Eng Technol Res.
- Mandwale A, Mulani AO. Implementation of high speed Viterbi decoder using FPGA. Int J Eng Res Technol (IJERT).
- Kolekar SD, Walekar VB, Patil PS, Mulani AO, Harale AD. Password based door lock system. Int J Aquat Sci. 2022;13(1):494–501.
- Shinde R, Mulani AO. Analysis of biomedical image. Int J Recent Innov Trend Technol (IJRITT).
- Sawant RA, Mulani AO. Automatic PCB track design machine. Int J Innov Sci Res Technol. 2022;7(9).
- Abhangrao MR, Jadhav MS, Ghodke MP, Mulani A. Design and implementation of 8-bit Vedic multiplier. Int J Res Publ Eng Technol. 2017;ISSN 2454-7875.
- Gadade B, Mulani AO, Harale AD. IoT based smart school bus and student monitoring system. Naturalista Campano. 2024;28(1):730–737.
- Mulani DAO. A comprehensive survey on semi-automatic solar-powered pesticide sprayers for farming. J Energy Eng Thermodyn (JEET). 2024;ISSN 2815-0945.
- Salunkhe DSS, Mulani DAO. Solar mount design using high-density polyethylene. Naturalista Campano. 2024;28(1).
- Seth M. Painless machine learning approach to estimate blood glucose level of non-invasive device. In: Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT) and Smart Materials for Energy Applications.
- Kolhe VA, Pawar SY, Gohery S, Mulani AO, Sundari MS, Kiradoo G, et al. Computational and experimental analyses of pressure drop in curved tube structural sections of Coriolis mass flow metre for laminar flow region. Ships Offshore Struct. 2024;19(11):1974–1983.
- Birajadar GB, Mulani AO, Khalaf OI, Farhah N, Gawande PG, Kinage K, Hamad A. Epilepsy identification using hybrid CoPrO-DCNN classifier. Int J Comput Digit Syst. 2024;16(1):783–796.
- Kedar MS, Mulani A. IoT based soil, water and air quality monitoring system for pomegranate farming. J Electron Comput Netw Appl Math (JECNAM). 2021;ISSN 2799-1156.
- Godse AP, Mulani AO. Embedded Systems. 1st ed. 2009.
- Pol RS, Bhalerao MV, Mulani AO. A real time IoT based system prediction and monitoring of landslides. Int J Food Nutr Sci. 2022;11(7).
- Mulani AO, Sardey MP, Kinage K, Salunkhe SS, Fegade T, Fegade PG. ML-powered Internet of Medical Things (MLIOMT) structure for heart disease prediction. J Pharmacol Pharmacother. 2025;16(1):38–45.
- Aiwale S, Kolte MT, Harpale V, Bendre V, Khurge D, Bhandari S, et al. Non-invasive anemia detection and prediagnosis. J Pharmacol Pharmacother. 2024;15(4):408–416.
- Mulani AO, Bang AV, Birajadar GB, Deshmukh AB, Jadhav HM, Liyakat KKS. IoT based air, water, and soil monitoring system for pomegranate farming. Ann Agri-Bio Res. 2024;29(2):71–86.
- Kulkarni TM, Mulani AO. Face mask detection on real time images and videos using deep learning. Int J Electr Mach Anal Des (IJEMAD). 2024;2(1).
- Thigale SP, Jadhav HM, Mulani AO, Birajadar GB, Nagrale M, Sardey MP. Internet of things and robotics in transforming healthcare services. Afr J Biol Sci (S Afr). 2024;6(6):1567–1575.
- Pol DRS. Cloud based memory efficient biometric attendance system using face recognition. Stochastic Model Appl. 2021;25(2).
- Nagtilak MAG, Ulegaddi MSN, Adat MAS, Mulani AO. Breast cancer prediction using machine learning. 2021.
- Rahul GG, Mulani AO. Microcontroller based drip irrigation system. 2016.
- Kulkarni TM, Mulani AO. Deep learning based face-mask detection: an approach to reduce pandemic spreads in human healthcare. Afr J Biol Sci. 2024;6(6).
- Mulani A, Mane PB. DWT based robust invisible watermarking. Scholars’ Press; 2016.
- Jadhav VS, Salunkhe SS, Salunkhe G, Yawle PR, Pol RS, Mulani AO, Rana M. IoT based health monitoring system for human. Afr J Biomed Res. 2024;27(September).
- Jadhav VS, Salunke GD, Chaudhari KR, Mulani AO, Thigale SP, Pol RS, Rana M. Deep learning-based face mask recognition in real-time photos and videos. Afr J Biomed Res. 2024;27(September).
- Mulani AO. Electric vehicle parameters estimation using web portal. Recent Trends Electron Commun Syst. 2023;10(3).
- Nagtilak AG, Ulegaddi SN, Mane M, Mulani AO. Automatic solar powered pesticide sprayer for farming. Int J Microwave Eng Technol. 2023;9(2).
- Dandage AS, Rupnar VR, Pise TA, Mulani AO. Real-time language translation application using Tkinter. Int J Digit Commun Analog Signals. 2025;11(01).
- Dandage AS, Rupnar VR, Pise TA, Mulani AO. IoT-powered weather monitoring and irrigation automation: transforming modern farming practices. Int J Digit Commun Analog Signals. 2025;11(01).
- Karande KJ, Talbar SN. Face recognition under variation of pose and illumination using independent component analysis. ICGST-GVIP. 2008;ISSN.
- Bokefode JD, Ubale SA, Pingale SV, Karande KJ, Apate SS. Developing secure cloud storage system by applying AES and RSA cryptography algorithms with role based access control model. Int J Comput Appl. 2015;975:8887.
- Kawathekar PP, Karande KJ. Severity analysis of osteoarthritis of knee joint from X-ray images: a literature review. In: Proc Int Conf Signal Propag Comput Technol (ICSPCT 2014). IEEE; 2014 Jul. p. 648–652.
- Daithankar MV, Karande KJ, Harale AD. Analysis of skin color models for face detection. In: Proc Int Conf Commun Signal Process. IEEE; 2014 Apr. p. 533–537.
- Gangonda SS, Patavardhan PP, Karande KJ. VGHN: variations aware geometric moments and histogram features normalization for robust uncontrolled face recognition. Int J Inf Technol. 2022;14(4):1823–1834.
- Jadhav GR, Karande KJ. Automatic vehicle number plate recognition for vehicle parking management system. Comput Eng Intell Syst. 2014;ISSN 2222-1719.
- Karande KJ. Multiscale wavelet based edge detection and independent component analysis (ICA) for face recognition. In: Proc Int Conf Commun Inf Comput Technol (ICCICT). IEEE; 2012 Oct. p. 1–5.
- Ingole AL, Karande KJ. Automatic age estimation from face images using facial features. In: Proc IEEE Glob Conf Wireless Comput Netw (GCWCN). IEEE; 2018 Nov. p. 104–108.

Research and Reviews : Journal of Computational Biology
| Volume | 15 |
| 01 | |
| Received | 13/07/2025 |
| Accepted | 19/12/2025 |
| Published | 07/01/2026 |
| Publication Time | 178 Days |
Login
PlumX Metrics