Transformational technology in Parkinson’s

The world is changing — and technology is progressively influencing all aspects of our lives. Could this advancing technology help us do more to manage our health?

Take a look at how technology is already impacting Parkinson’s research, and what might be possible in the not too distant future.

Using the power of AI to accelerate research

Artificial Intelligence or AI means using the ability of computers to simulate human intelligence, and do tasks that would usually be done by people. This includes things like spotting patterns, analysing data and making decisions.

This means that AI has huge potential to help to accelerate research. And it’s already delivering exciting breakthroughs.

• Developing a new blood test

In June 2024, researchers at University College London reported that they had used AI to develop a new blood test that was 100% accurate in identifying Parkinson’s. The team used artificial intelligence to analyse over 1000 different proteins in blood samples and identified that there were consistently subtle changes in 8 proteins in people with the condition. This would have taken scientists many hours to do manually. 

Further research suggests the test is sensitive enough to identify Parkinson’s up to 7 years before people would normally be diagnosed.

Work is now underway to verify the test to see how it could be used as a tool in research to improve clinical trials and the clinic to speed up diagnosis and improve accuracy of diagnosis. This vital research was part-funded by Parkinson’s UK. Read more about the research in our news story.

• Speeding up brain bank research

Meanwhile, the team at the Parkinson’s UK Brain Bank have been working with specialists to use AI to accelerate the analysis of precious brain tissue.

When a brain is donated for research to the Brain Bank, the team must first carefully examine the tissue to confirm a diagnosis of Parkinson’s, and check for signs of any other conditions or changes that might make the tissue less suitable for research. This ensures that the Brain Bank can provide the right tissues to researchers who are working to understand what happens inside the brain in Parkinson’s.

This process - called a neuropathological examination - would usually take an experienced pathologist a whole day to complete as it involves painstakingly reviewing dozens of slides down the microscope to spot subtle changes inside cells and then writing a detailed report of their findings.

Now, after working with a company called Polygeist who are experts in AI, the team can instead give this time-consuming task to a computer. The computer can review the slides and prepare the report in just 3 minutes.

It’s still early days and we’re already seeing technology being used to make huge leaps forward in Parkinson’s research. We expect the pace of discoveries to pick up as AI becomes more powerful, so watch this space! 

How technology is advancing treatment for Parkinson’s

Technology already plays an important role in how we treat Parkinson’s. One such technology is Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), which uses electrodes placed carefully in the brain to deliver stimulation to the affected brain area to help control symptoms.

• More control over deep brain stimulation

DBS can be a life-changing treatment for those for whom current drugs aren’t working well. But researchers are working to make the technology smarter to produce even better results.

A small study has shown that a new form of DBS, called adaptive DBS, can provide better control of symptoms day and night for people with Parkinson’s.

Current DBS provides electrical stimulation to brain areas to help control movement symptoms in Parkinson’s. The stimulation can be turned on or off but its amount doesn’t vary.

This more adaptable form of DBS could alter stimulation levels to better control symptoms. The study showed that it was able to respond to the movement needs of the participants especially when medication was wearing off, increasing stimulation if the person was particularly active or decreasing stimulation while the person was asleep.

Read more about these promising findings in our news story.

• Repurposing technology for Parkinson's

Through our non-drug approaches research funding, at Parkinson’s UK we’re also supporting research to explore new technologies with potential to help treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s.

One exciting example is new research being led by Professor Stephen Jackson at the University of Nottingham. We’re funding his project investigating a wrist-worn device to help control tremor.

Stephen’s previous research has already shown that providing rhythmic electrical stimulation to a nerve in the wrist via a wrist-worn device can reduce the severity and frequency of unwanted movements in people with Tourette’s syndrome. He is now investigating whether this approach could reduce and manage tremors experienced by people with Parkinson’s.

If this project is successful it could lead to an exciting new way to manage tremor, a common symptom which does not always respond to current Parkinson’s medications.

Read about other technology projects we're funding in our news story.

Using technology to live better with the condition

Over the past few years there has been an explosion in the development of technologies to help people with Parkinson’s to manage the condition and improve quality of life.

These technologies aim to help people with all sorts of things. From the practical - like remembering to take medication on time, to the therapeutic with technologies that aim to help people to sleep better, improve their speech or anxiety.

Technology is changing how we live our lives and manage our health so it’s great to see individuals and companies coming up with creative new solutions to help people with Parkinson’s in the here and now.

Virtual Reality, or VR, is a new tool being investigated to help improve everyday life for people with Parkinson’s. Projects funded by Parkinson’s UK at the University of Leicester, Robert Gordon University in Glasgow, and the University of Exeter, are all using VR headsets to tackle problems around walking and balance. At the University of Leicester, Dr Qadeer Ashad and his team are combining VR technology with brain training exercises, to see if this could go even further to improve balance. While following a game through the VR headset, participants are asked to focus on music playing in the background, which helps reduce the activity of a part of the brain that can make balance more challenging.

There are many apps and devices in development and available for purchase that can help people with Parkinson’s address symptoms of the condition. But it can be difficult to know which might work best for you.

We’re currently developing the Parkinson’s UK Tech Guide, a new catalogue of available technologies for people living with Parkinson’s. It will help people to understand what’s out there and navigate what might work for them. The catalogue will be available through our website and in print and will provide clear information and reviews from people with Parkinson’s who have used the devices for a number of weeks.

From our surveys we know that people with Parkinson’s are interested in technology and keen to give it a try but don’t know where to go for information they can trust. We have been working hard with a team of volunteers and professionals to create the Parkinson’s UK Tech Guide to address this and help more people feel the benefits of using technology.

Parkinson’s UK Tech Guide will be launching before the end of 2024. In the meantime, we are looking for people to join the review panel to road-test devices and technologies and provide feedback. If you’re interested in getting involved please contact the Research team by email at [email protected].