Vector-based analysis of motor activities in patients with Parkinson's disease

Describes a novel, computer-based approach to the objective assessment of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. The magnitude of symptoms such as tremor, chorea and hesitation are particularly important in the appropriate administration of drugs, such as L-Dopa, used to improve patients' motor activities. The method adopted measures the motor control of patients in real time using a commercially available digitising tablet. Vector-based analysis of this data is then performed to obtain an objective measurement of the symptoms under investigation. Results are presented for a population of Parkinson's patients and compared with results obtained from subjects without any known neurological disorder. It is proposed that this technique is sufficiently sensitive to aid precise administration of medication to Parkinson's patients throughout the day, and thus to increase the long-term benefits of such drug therapies.