Sensory pen could help keep Parkinson's at bay

The system, which combines sensor technology with advanced computing software, requires the patient to perform a combination of writing tasks and drawing activities. All movements, including drawing pressure, acceleration and deceleration of movement, are measured via a range of accelerometers and gyroscopes in the pen. By analysing the control of motion in the nervous systems of patients, and comparing patients' handwriting patterns with healthy subjects, it cna then be determined if an individual is suffering from Parkinson's or another neurological disorder. Assisted by a £178,000 grant from the TSB, the pen will embark upon its final stages of testing at North Tyneside Hospital early next year. Parkinson's specialist Professor Richard Walker is working with MANUS to assess the use of the pen as a part of patient diagnosis. He commented: "Having such a pen means we can hopefully make a diagnosis of Parkinson's earlier and in those people with atypical symptoms and signs. Some people may not have Parkinson's and so diagnosing correctly will avoid inappropriate drug treatment." Dr Rutger Zietsma, director of MANUS, added: "The trials to date have showed clear differences between healthy controls and Parkinson's sufferers. For instance, Parkinson's sufferers move more slowly in tasks and their writing is significantly smaller." "By providing clinicians with an easy-to-use tool for earlier diagnosis, one that can also distinguish between differing neurological disorders and that gives the neurologist a probability for each of the different impairments, we hope to improve patient monitoring."