Project description
A highly qualified interpreter helps us decode body language
Many disorders of the nervous system are accompanied by impaired mobility manifested in abnormal gait and postural control. These include not only classic neuromuscular diseases such as Parkinson's but diseases like Alzheimer's and dementia as well. Although there are tests and clinical scales to assess such symptoms, they largely rely on subjective interpretation and can lack sensitivity if symptoms are subtle and one is looking for changes over time. The EU-funded WEAR project is evaluating its novel system for automated and objective assessment of disease and developing a business case toward commercialisation. The use of inertial sensors placed at various spots on the body and analysed with an unsupervised machine learning algorithm will take the guesswork out of motion assessment for diagnosis, monitoring and therapy development.
Objective
Behavior is ultimately the observable output of the nervous system. Thus, to properly diagnose and monitor nervous system disorders it is crucial that we assess behavior comprehensively. However, every day clinical practice still relies mostly on subjective methods to evaluate behavior. The ability to adequately analyse behaviour is also critical during drug development, from the preclinical (animal models) to the clinical stages. Results from our ERC-funded work revealed that the combination of inertial sensor data with an unsupervised algorithm provides an optimal method for an easy to implement unbiased behavior classification that adequately captured the outcome of neural circuit’s computations. In this PoC we proposed to develop this technology into a product that provides a continuous, quantitative and comprehensive behavior assessment that is also versatile, covering the diverse spectrum from the pre-clinical to the clinical context. In this POC we will 1) refinement and validate of inertial sensors in animal models, 2) enable their integration into a Body Area Network, 3) Evolve our unsupervised algorithm into a stand-alone software that is versatile and easy to use. In addition to these technical aims, we propose to explore commercial opportunities and societal benefits, in particular in the medical and drug development sector. We will conduct market analysis and develop a business case for this product, while expanding industry contacts for production and commercialization. Our proposal will lead to a ground-breaking technical solution for quantitative, automated behavioral assessment in animal models of disease and humans that will have an important societal impact through innovation in diagnosis, disease monitoring, and drug development.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences neurobiology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy drug discovery
- natural sciences computer and information sciences software
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
ERC-POC - Proof of Concept Grant
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2018-PoC
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
1400-038 LISBOA
Portugal
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.