Parkinson’s disease research innovation with new technology
Parkinson’s is the fastest-growing neurological condition, with estimates suggesting the disease affects one in every 37 people. There is currently no cure and symptoms worsen over time, severely reducing quality of life.
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However, the Transforming the Objective Real-world measUrement of Symptoms (TORUS) project at the University of Bristol is seeking to revolutionise Parkinson’s disease research by deploying wearable technology and AI-controlled video to gather patient insights.
TORUS has received £6M funding from the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council to create the capability to monitor patients many times every day autonomously, continuously, objectively in their own homes and for months at a time.
Pharmaceutical companies and health organisations struggle to assess the effectiveness of potential drugs for improving symptoms such as freezing when walking, tremors and impaired mobility within the limits of hospital settings.
Clinical trials for Parkinson’s can be logistically difficult for patients – as they have to travel to and from the hospital – and are a poor representation of the patient’s overall symptoms, since trials are likely to take place once a month at most. These challenges have led to many large companies withdrawing from Parkinson’s research, despite its prevalence.
However, the Transforming the Objective Real-world measUrement of Symptoms (TORUS) project at the University of Bristol is seeking to revolutionise Parkinson’s disease research by deploying wearable technology and AI-controlled video to gather patient insights.
TORUS has received £6M funding from the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council to create the capability to monitor patients many times every day autonomously, continuously, objectively in their own homes and for months at a time.
Pharmaceutical companies and health organisations struggle to assess the effectiveness of potential drugs for improving symptoms such as freezing when walking, tremors and impaired mobility within the limits of hospital settings.
Clinical trials for Parkinson’s can be logistically difficult for patients – as they have to travel to and from the hospital – and are a poor representation of the patient’s overall symptoms, since trials are likely to take place once a month at most. These challenges have led to many large companies withdrawing from Parkinson’s research, despite its prevalence.