In-home sensors spot dementia signs in elderly ( ual. They have already begun a larger ...)

In-home sensors spot dementia signs in elderly

ual." They have already begun a larger study to test that theory.

Much of the hardware used in the study is simple, widely available and inexpensive. Plus, it's getting smaller and smaller, so it can be deployed in elders' homes much less obtrusively. However, "the thing a lot of people don't realize is that although the hardware appears to be the hard part, the data management is the hard part," Hayes said. "Really, the bulk of our technology research is focused on algorithm development" and the ability to mine and manage the data these devices collect.

Study co-author Misha Pavel, Ph.D., professor of biomedical engineering and computer science and electrical engineering at OHSU's OGI School of Science & Engineering, says studies on systems and technology such as those being developed by ORCATECH are "a critical precursor of changing reactive health care to proactive care for individuals."

A more proactive health care approach may be essential to managing the rising cost of health care for aging baby boomers. And "being able to stay at home and maintain independence represents a significant improvement in quality of life of many elders who like to remain as long as possible in their familiar environments," Pavel noted.

The ability to continuously and discretely collect activity data over extended periods of time has given researchers a new, more accurate way of "identifying clinical changes that are difficult to get your arms around in the typically designed practice we have nowadays," said ORCATECH's director, Jeffrey Kaye, M.D., OHSU professor of neurology and biomedical engineering.

Source:Oregon Health & Science University

Page: 1 2 3
Related biology news :

1. Study shows nanoshells ideal as chemical nanosensors
2. Polymers with copper show promise for implanted sensors
3. Smell of success for nanobiosensors
4. Researchers to develop ultra-miniature implantable sensors to measure blood flow
5. Motorola researchers develop selective sensors based on carbon nanotubes
6. Biologically inspired sensors can augment sonar, vision system in submarines
7. Magnetic computer sensors may help study biomolecules
8. Scavenger cells could be key to treating HIV-related dementia
9. Fruit fly reveals a potential connection between dementia and cancer
10. Hopkins study suggests commercially available antibiotic may help fight dementia in HIV patients
11. Viral genetic differences are possible key to HIV dementia

Post Your Comments:

( ual. They have already begun a larger ...)In-home sensors spot dementia signs in elderly