Smart Wearable Sensors for Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is the fastest-growing neurodegenerative condition in the world, second only to Alzheimer’s, and affects 600,000 Americans every year at a cost of $20 billion to the U.S. healthcare system. PD’s symptoms and signs can vary dramatically between patients, and as a result, there is no one standard test or biomarker that can diagnose or track the progression of the disease. When a doctor examines a patient with PD, they assess the presence of three neurological signs: slowed movements (bradykinesia), tremor and muscle rigidity (stiffness) — the presence of at least two of the three is required for a positive diagnosis. These examinations are subjective and imprecise, making it challenging to diagnose and monitor the disease, especially in the early stages when symptoms are mild.