Researchers have developed a 3D-printed pen containing magnetic ink that may help identify Parkinson’s disease through handwriting analysis. The device captures motion patterns that could indicate the presence of the neurodegenerative disorder, according to a study published in Nature Chemical Engineering. The pen contains a silicone tip embedded with magnetic particles and ink with magnetized floating particles that produce electrical signals when used for writing.
The team from the University of California, Los Angeles tested the pen with participants drawing wavy lines, spirals, and writing both on surfaces and in the air. Using machine learning models to analyze the data from 16 participants, including three with Parkinson’s, one model achieved an average accuracy of 96.22% in distinguishing patients with the condition from healthy individuals.
“It is very cost-effective and fully accessible for lower income countries,” said Prof Jun Chen, co-author of the study, noting that the system would connect to a phone app for analysis. Chen added, “We are using the handwriting-generated electrical signal to quantify the tremor during [writing].”
Experts not involved in the research expressed cautious optimism. Chrystalina Antoniades from the University of Oxford described the approach as “interesting and intriguing” but emphasized that further testing is needed. She noted that handwriting changes represent just one of many Parkinson’s symptoms, stating, “It can be complementing what we already found, picking up something that might be difficult to see.”
Becky Jones from Parkinson’s UK welcomed the work while highlighting the study’s limited scope. “While this study is very small, involving just three people with Parkinson’s, it offers a new way of thinking about diagnosis by measuring changes in handwriting, which can be an early symptom,” Jones said. She called for larger, more diverse studies to better understand the method’s potential for supporting earlier and more accurate diagnoses.
More than 10 million people worldwide are estimated to be living with Parkinson’s disease. Current diagnostic methods either rely on subjective observation of motor symptoms or require specialized equipment and highly-trained professionals to analyze biomarkers. Early diagnosis can help patients access treatments and support sooner, though there is currently no definitive test or cure for the condition.
Source: theguardian.com