Virtually reality simplifies early diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease



Scientists from Tomsk Polytechnic college and Siberian country scientific college are growing an early prognosis machine for neurodegenerative disorders. The machine is supposed to such sicknesses as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and others. The prognosis gadget is based on digital truth (VR) -- a person is immersed in a virtual surroundings to perform some practical assessments. Researchers vary the parameters of the digital surroundings and file modifications in the person's moves. The scientists are going to complete the technical a part of the undertaking in 2017.

The prognosis device for neurodegenerative diseases is a joint undertaking for scientists from Tomsk Polytechnic university and Siberian country clinical university. The mission entails 8 people -- scientists, postgraduate and graduate students of the colleges.

The machine being advanced by means of TPU and SSMU scientists consists of augmented fact glasses, a non-touch sensor controller and a mobile platform.

The developers use already current gadgets consisting of Google augmented glasses and Kinect sensor machine. Analysis is as follows: a person places the glasses on and receives into virtual reality where environment modifications the slope. Right now the movement sensor detects modifications of human body posture in 20 factors. Someone with out issues quickly adapts to VR and continues a solid position, a person with problems can not adapt and loses stability.

"we have integrated present gadgets and advanced mathematical models for statistics analysis. We have additionally created a human skeleton version, identified 20 crucial factors that Kinect monitors. Prognosis offers consequences of deviations within the 20 factors," -- clarifies David Khachaturyan, a young scientist from TPU.

The system has been already tested by way of approximately 50 volunteers.

"within the experiment, we tested how VR impacts people. The manner took nearly 10 mins. The test engaged both healthful people and those whom medical doctors had already been located issues with the aid of. Currently we cannot say if someone is wholesome or no longer, mainly make a analysis. But thanks to the machine we will say how a great deal his condition differs from a healthful. We've got also found out how humans with one of a kind illnesses react to a digital environment. For instance, humans with Parkinson's disorder get hand tremor (quick, rhythmic limb movements -- Ed.), more pronounced within the case of crucial anxious system," -- says Ivan Tolmachov.

To complete the technical part of the project will take one greater year. Then the system will skip clinical trials and required technical and toxicological certification.

"inside the future the system might be used not handiest for sickness analysis however for affected person rehabilitation as nicely," -- provides the scientist.

"Our sense of balance and our movement are controlled with some of systems. That is the vestibular apparatus -- the inner ear and semicircular ducts -- which determines our function in area and the course of gravity. That is additionally muscular device and imaginative and prescient -- it helps us to reveal continuously the horizon. All these coordinated structures function routinely. They falter if a person receives a neurodegenerative ailment to broaden, for instance, Parkinson's ailment," -- tells Ivan Tolmachov, senior teacher at the TPU department of business and clinical Electronics, partner professor at SSMU.

Parkinson's diseases, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease are neurodegenerative diseases. Those are a collection of slowly revolutionary, hereditary or acquired sicknesses of the anxious gadget. A not unusual characteristic for these illnesses is a progressive loss of nerve cells -- neurodegeneration, leading to numerous neurological symptoms -- primary to trouble with coordination.

In keeping with the scientists, for instance, in the case of Parkinson's disorder cellular death technique can begin at age of 30 but the symptoms of the disease could be substantial most effective at 50.

Therefore, scientists round the world are searching for effective and low-priced early diagnosis methods for neurodegenerative diseases.

"To feel a feature loss someone need to lose approximately eighty% of associated cells. But then there's no manner returned to recuperation. Consequently, it is so important to analysis the sickness at early stages whilst patient can nonetheless get assist. Presently physicians use pencil-and-paper exams to stumble on neurodegenerative sicknesses but they're basically based on visible evaluation and there's lack of instrumental and powerful strategies. Pet scanning (Positron Emission Tomography) is to be had most effective in nine cities in Russia," -- notes Ivan Tolmachov.

Story Source:
The above post is reprinted from materials provided by Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU)Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
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