Smartwatches may detect Parkinson's even before it is diagnosed: study

Smartwatches are a helpful accessory in today's time. And, now a study has highlighted that smartwatches may also help detect Parkinson's disease even before its diagnosis.

The UK Dementia Research Institute team at Cardiff University conducted a study where they used artificial intelligence to examine information gathered from 103,712 individuals who wore smartwatches. By analyzing the rate of movement over a week-long period spanning from 2013 to 2016, the researchers successfully predicted individuals who would eventually develop Parkinson's disease.

What is Parkinson's disease?

Parkinson's disease is a chronic and progressive neurological disorder that primarily affects movement. It is caused by the gradual degeneration of certain cells in the brain, particularly those responsible for producing dopamine, a crucial chemical messenger involved in coordinating muscle movement. The exact cause of Parkinson's disease remains unknown, but both genetic and environmental factors are believed to play a role.

The most noticeable symptoms of Parkinson's disease include tremors, stiffness, slowness of movement (bradykinesia), and impaired balance. As the disease progresses, individuals may also experience difficulties with speech and writing, as well as non-motor symptoms such as depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and cognitive impairment.

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