Smart watch data identifies Parkinson’s disease before symptoms appear

For this study, scientists analysed data collected by smart watches over a 7-day period, measuring participants’ speed of movement. They found that by utilising artificial intelligence (AI), they could accurately predict those who would go on to develop the disease.

The researchers said this could be used as a new screening tool for Parkinson’s disease, which would enable detection of the disorder at a much earlier stage than current methods allow. The study was led by scientists at the UK DRI and Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute (NMHII) at Cardiff University. Their findings are published in Nature Medicine.

Parkinson’s affects dopaminergic neurons that are found in the substantia nigra area of the brain. It causes motor symptoms such as tremor, rigidity (stiffness), and slowness of movement. By the time these symptoms of Parkinson’s begin to show, and a clinical diagnosis can be made, more than half of the cells in the substantia nigra will already have died.