Izertis applies AI in VARKINSON project to optimise diagnosis of Parkinson's patients
The aim of the VARKINSON project is to develop a computer vision-based Parkinson's diagnosis and treatment monitoring system using indicators collected by the UPDRS (globally accepted standard scale for assessing Parkinson's disease symptoms) providing objective information in the relevant areas. The programme detects, by means of artificial vision, the movements associated with facial expressions and limbs. Based on this detection, artificial intelligence algorithms have been developed that are able to support the neurologist in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease, just as the neurologist would do in his or her consulting room.
The models were developed with the support of neurological experts in the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson's disease, who deal with patients affected by the disease on a daily basis. To achieve this objective, Izertis has the subcontracted participation of the Andalusian Public Foundation for the Management of Health Research in Seville (FISEVI), which provides access to top-level professionals and equipment in the field of neurology associated with Parkinson's disease at the Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBIS) and the Virgen del Rocío University Hospital (HUVR).
This plan is subsidised by the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI) and co-financed by ERDF funds in the form of an R+D individual project (file IDI-20210602).
Izertis has specialists in emerging technologies with experience in medical projects
The diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) is eminently clinical; that is, it is made by the neurologist on the basis of the symptoms and their evolution, as complementary tests help, but do not provide a diagnosis.
Parkinson's disease is a chronic and progressive process caused by neuronal degeneration of the substantia nigra, resulting in a decrease in dopamine levels and the consequent appearance of motor symptoms, which are the most frequent and the most familiar to the population. However, neurodegeneration begins before such signs become apparent, so there is a growing need to understand the mechanisms that govern this disease. Izertis has specialists in emerging technologies with experience in medical projects such as ORGANAIDES or TIQUE. The application of these cutting-edge techniques provides the opportunity to contribute significantly to the improvement of medical care and quality of life of patients, generating a positive social impact.