A New Way to Evaluate Parkinson’s
Researchers at the University of Rochester have created an artificial intelligence (AI) tool that could change the way people with Parkinson’s disease track their symptoms.
Usually, doctors ask patients to perform specific movements to gauge the seriousness of their condition. With this new AI tool, people can do a quick test at home and get immediate results.
How It Works
All you need to do is tap your fingers 10 times in front of a webcam.
The AI tool then uses the video to evaluate your finger movements based on the Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS), a standard medical guideline.
By measuring things like speed and shakiness, the AI tool determines the severity of your symptoms on a scale of 0–4.
The system was tested with 250 participants from around the world who have Parkinson’s. When compared to ratings by doctors specializing in nerve disorders (neurologists) and general primary care physicians, the AI tool held its own.
Although expert neurologists had slightly more accurate assessments, the AI model did better than the primary care doctors who were certified in UPDRS.
Why It Matters
The convenience and speed of this AI tool can be a game-changer, especially for those who find it hard to see a specialist.
“These findings could have huge implications for patients who have difficulty gaining access to neurologists,” says Ehsan Hoque, a co-director of the research.
This tool is part of a growing trend where AI helps in healthcare, making it easier for people to get medical advice without visiting a clinic.
According to the study, which was published in the journal npj Digital Medicine, the AI method could also be useful for assessing other types of movement disorders, like ataxia and Huntington’s disease.
However, the researchers caution that this is still an emerging technology. It should not replace professional medical advice but can serve as a useful supplementary tool.
The Team Behind It
The project was led by Md. Saiful Islam, a Google Ph.D. fellow, under the guidance of Ehsan Hoque. They worked alongside neurologists from the University of Rochester Medical Center.
Their collective expertise ensures that the tool is not just technologically sound but also medically relevant.
For those who are interested, the Parkinson’s disease assessment tool is available online.
However, it’s essential to remember that while it provides rapid results, it’s always best to consult a healthcare provider for a comprehensive understanding of your condition.
If you care about Parkinson’s disease, please read studies that Vitamin E may help prevent Parkinson’s, and Vitamin D could benefit people with Parkinson’s.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about new ways to treat Parkinson’s disease, and results showing flavonoid-rich foods could improve survival in Parkinson’s disease.
The research findings can be found in npj Digital Medicine.
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