Parkinsonism and graphology
Scientists have developed a test to detect Parkinson's disease by handwriting
Maria Azarova, Naked Science
A team of Australian scientists from Melbourne's Royal University of Technology (RMIT) has proposed an innovative test for detecting Parkinson's disease at an early stage: it is based on screening drawings and handwriting.
Parkinson's disease is an age–related ailment affecting the central nervous system, causing slowness of movement, tremor, apathy, changes in the timbre of the voice, and so on. As you know, this disease is almost impossible to diagnose before symptoms appear. At the same time, early detection of the disease is important, since modern methods of treatment are aimed solely at slowing down the symptoms. According to the data, there are about 10 million people suffering from Parkinson's disease in the world today.
"Early detection is crucial because we know that by the time someone starts experiencing tremors or muscle rigidity, it may already be too late: the drugs will be ineffective," says Dinesh Kumar, a member of the team of researchers who are working on the project at RMIT. "It has long been known that Parkinson's disease affects muscles and habitual activity, so it also affects how patients write and draw."
It is on this basis that the scientists, whose research is described on the university's website (Screening tech advances early detection of Parkinson's disease), have developed their own method for detecting Parkinson's disease. The test includes seven different tasks to be performed on a digital tablet: among them – drawing a spiral by combining dots, a simple letter and a letter with a memory load. After the person passes the test, the program will analyze the received data in real time and give the result.
At the same time, the software is compatible with existing technologies, so the only equipment that will be required for the screening test is a pen, paper and a tablet. The tests showed 93 percent accuracy in determining the disease at the earliest stages, the researchers assured.
"Standard multimodal physical tests conducted by clinicians are inherently subjective. Our technology is absolutely objective and sensitive to both improvements and deterioration of dexterity. <...> As the population ages, the number of people living with Parkinson's disease should increase dramatically, so an accurate understanding of how the disease develops and the study of the effects of various treatments will be crucial for helping patients," Kumar added.
Scientists have signed an agreement with Jesse Medical startup. According to them, this will help bring the development to market faster. Next in line are major studies in Australia and China, which will take place in the coming year. If everything goes according to plan, the test may become available to everyone as early as 2022.
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