NEMO

THE NEXT MOVE IN MOVEMENT DISORDERS

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NEMO

The Next Move in Movement Disorders (NEMO) is a three-year cooperation project between ZiuZ and the University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG). This project aims to distinguish hyperkinetic movement disorders: disorders characterised by an excess of involuntary movements, such as tremor, myoclonus, dystonia, tics or chorea. In practice, it is sometimes very difficult to distinguish between these different types of involuntary movements. For doctors who do not have to deal with them very often, the conditions are sometimes difficult to recognise, and doctors do not always agree among themselves either.

The aim of the NEMO project is to develop a computer-aided diagnosis tool (CADx tool) that can help doctors distinguish between different types of movement disorders, among others by means of a smart 3D camera and machine learning techniques. When recording movements, use is made of sensors that measure the movements and muscle activity. For the development of the CADx tool, ZiuZ will use artificial intelligence and pattern recognition. The CADx tool is intended to help doctors determine the correct movement disorder in patients, so that patients can receive the correct diagnosis more quickly and frequently in the future. In addition, this could be used to record the natural course of movement disorders, or to better evaluate the effect of the treatment.

Since the start of the project, a total of around 160 participants have participated in the NEMO project. These included patients with dystonia, tremor, myoclonus, and myoclonus-dystonia. Recordings of these participants were made for the registration of various movement disorders. There were also more than 30 healthy control participants so that the system can also learn what a ‘healthy’ movement pattern is. A first version of a CADx tool has been trained with the movement disorders dystonia, tremor, and myoclonus. The results have been incorporated into a program in which both the results of the sensors and the videos can be seen.

The results of an initial version of the CADx tool, with a focus on myoclonus, dystonia, and tremor, are fairly good for distinguishing between tremor and dystonia (2/3rds correct prediction). With the movement disorder myoclonus, the algorithm had more difficulty. Steps are being taken to improve this.

At the end of 2021, ZiuZ has had to conclude that the technology had not yet developed far enough to be used to distinguish and classify these specific diseases. More fundamental research is needed to move this forward. The NEMO project will be continued in the UMCG (Movement Disorders Groningen) where more scientific research will be carried out and more patients will be included.

NEMO is co-financed by grants from the European Union: European Regional Development Fund (via SNN) and the province of Friesland.