Monitoring symptoms of Parkinson's disease to improve quality of life

The ISCF Healthy Ageing Round two Follow on Fund 2023 is part of the Healthy Ageing Catalyst Award programme, funded by the UKRI Healthy Ageing Challenge and in collaboration with the US National Academy of Medicine's (NAM) Healthy Longevity Global Grand Challenge. With Zinc's programme of support, the Follow on Funding will be used to build upon previous Healthy Ageing Catalyst Award funding, with the aim of commercialising research in symptom monitoring by people living with Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease affects 1% of adults over 60 years old, and due to an ageing population, its prevalence is increasing. The disease is characterised by movement symptoms and as there is currently no cure, living well with these symptoms is a priority. Movement symptoms vary during the course of a day and over the long-term, and being able to monitor these symptoms accurately and precisely has various benefits. These include informing current health status to help plan daily activities, and recording changes over time to enable optimization of treatment.
Building on the work of the project team's Catalyst Funding, this project aims to develop our prototype device which accurately and precisely measures upper limb movement relevant to symptoms of Parkinson's disease, into a commercial venture. Thus, providing people living with Parkinson's with the opportunity to efficiently and easily monitor symptoms at home.

Key elements of the project will involve; undertaking activities to ensure the continued development and commercialisation of the product, and the formation of a mission led company to deliver the product to users. The company will have user needs and benefits at it core with key stakeholders advising on product and company developments throughout the journey.