From theory to application: Wireless monitoring of patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases in our ageing population in recent time have been a deep concern for the medical practitioners. Neurodegeneration is the cause of progressive loss of structure or function of neurons, including neural death. Many neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Huntington's occur as a result of neurodegenerative processes. Human gait impairment is one of the indicators of the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. We propose to use a noninvasive technique to wirelessly monitor patients suffering from neural disorders. Our system using Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) can be deployed in the patient's residence and can be used for the early detection of gait impairment that may be a precursor to other neural diseases. We have also employed force sensors to determine the changes in the gait of patients suffering from Parkinson's. The RSSI measurements combined with the force data would enable us to effectively monitor patients with Parkinson's.