Artificial intelligence to monitor Parkinson’s symptoms

News

Author: Simge DoganPublished: 5 July 2018

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, US have developed an artificial intelligence system that can monitor Parkinson’s symptoms from the other side of a solid wall.

The x-ray technology – named RF-Pose – will use radio signals to sense individuals’ posture and movement. This will help medical professionals track the development of Parkinson’s and provide more effective care.

Dina Katabi, professor of electrical engineering and computer science at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said: “We’ve seen that monitoring patients’ walking speed and ability to do basic activities on their own gives healthcare providers a window into their lives that they didn’t have before.

“A key advantage of our approach is that patients do not have to wear sensors or remember to charge their devices.”

For more information on Parkinson’s diagnosis please visit the EPDA website.

Last Month

Next Month

Go Back

Share this story

Comments

Advances

How Rory Cellan-Jones used AI to monitor his Parkinson’s disease

The BBC correspondent on tracking his symptoms with tech

Parkinson’s Life wins British Medical Association Patient Information Award 2016

Parkinson’s Life awarded ‘Highly Commended’ by the BMA

How the world is celebrating Parkinson’s Awareness Month

Despite Covid-19, people around the world are finding ways to raise awarene

Research offers new insights on a cause of Parkinson’s disease

Researchers in Denmark have shared insights on a cause of up to 95% of Parkinson’s disease cases. Using data on gene patterns and three mouse models, scientists at the University of Copenhagen found that a blockage to a pathway regulating mitochondria (‘powerhouses’ that generate energy for reactions in cells) causes a form of the condition known as ‘sporadic Parkinson’s disease’. When the pathway becomes blocked by a protein, damaged mitochondria accumulate, unable to produce enough energy – which in turn causes nerve cells to die. “Just like when people eat, cells take what they need and get rid of … waste products,” explained corresponding study author Professor Shohreh Issazadeh-Navikas. “But if our brain cells have this specific kind of signalling blockage, it means that the powerhouse of the cell – mitochondria – cannot get cleaned up after being damaged.” The team now plan to investigate the pathway’s role in neuronal…

Could dance help to treat Parkinson’s disease?

Dance training with music could help slow the progression of mild-to-moderate Parkinson’s disease, researchers at York University in Canada have found. As part of the study, the researchers followed 16 participants with Parkinson’s disease who attended weekly dance classes between 2014 and 2017. The research team compared them to 16 people with Parkinson’s who did not take part in the classes. The research team found that the motor and non-motor symptoms of those who took part in the dance classes improved or did not progress over time – while those who did not participate showed a continual decline. “Dance is so complex,” said study author, PhD candidate Karolina Bearss. “It’s a multi-sensory type of environment. It incorporates and stimulates your auditory, tactile, visual and kinaesthetic senses and adds an interactive social aspect. Regular exercise does not offer these aspects. There’s so much more to dance.”

Vineyard pesticides may be linked to Parkinson’s disease

Exposure to pesticides used in vineyards could be linked to an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease, according to researchers in France. As part of their study, the team used a health insurance database to identify farmers in France who had been diagnosed with the condition. They then compared these records with data combining an agriculture census and pesticide expenditures across regions of varying farming types, including vineyards. They found that areas with vineyards that lacked designation of origin, and spent the most on pesticides, were associated with a 16% higher incidence of Parkinson’s. “This result suggests that agricultural practices and pesticides used in these vineyards may play a role in Parkinson’s disease,” the researchers concluded, “and that farmers in these farms should benefit from preventive measures aiming at reducing exposure.”

All fields required

First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Enter Email Confirm Email
Country of residence*
About me*
- I have Parkinson's disease
- I am a partner / carer / family / friend of someone who has Parkinson's
- I am a healthcare professional with an interest in Parkinson's
- I work for a Parkinson's disease organisation
- Other
CAPTCHA
*
- By proceeding you agree to our
Phone
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Artificial intelligence to monitor Parkinson’s symptoms

News

Author: Simge DoganPublished: 5 July 2018

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Advances

How Rory Cellan-Jones used AI to monitor his Parkinson’s disease

Perspectives

Parkinson’s Life wins British Medical Association Patient Information Award 2016

Global update

How the world is celebrating Parkinson’s Awareness Month

Research offers new insights on a cause of Parkinson’s disease

Could dance help to treat Parkinson’s disease?

Vineyard pesticides may be linked to Parkinson’s disease

{title}

Subscribe

Artificial intelligence to monitor Parkinson’s symptoms

News

Author: Simge DoganPublished: 5 July 2018

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Related articles

Advances

How Rory Cellan-Jones used AI to monitor his Parkinson’s disease

Perspectives

Parkinson’s Life wins British Medical Association Patient Information Award 2016

Global update

How the world is celebrating Parkinson’s Awareness Month

Research offers new insights on a cause of Parkinson’s disease

Could dance help to treat Parkinson’s disease?

Vineyard pesticides may be linked to Parkinson’s disease

{title}

Subscribe

Sign in