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Teenager creates software to help detect Parkinson's disease early

Shared by JoanaSaraiva on 2019-07-30 12:20

About the solution

Erin has always been a huge fan of Michael Fox's movies. Michael Fox is the star of the ‘Back to the Future’ films. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at age 29.

Erin was 15 when she was watching the actor Michael Fox and had a ‘Eureka’ moment. She noticed that his expressions lacked emotions. He also had a droopy smile and upturned eyebrow. Looking back at Fox's work, Erin also noticed that his expressions had started to change even before he was diagnosed, in 1991.

This inspired Erin to learn how to code from scratch so she could create a computer program that would help spot early signs of the disease. That is when she decided to create FacePrint, a solution that helps detect the disease 10 years earlier than usual.

‘I have always been a big fan of ‘Back To The Future’. After having the initial idea, I was able to look at old footage to see when Michael’s facial differences occurred. And as I searched through past medical papers, I found that the parts of the brain that experience the earliest changes in Parkinson’s are the same parts involved in facial expression formation.’, Erin explained.

‘Earlier detection would not only enable people to take control but could lead to the development of new and better treatments.’ , Professor David Dexter of charity Parkinson’s UK said.

It took her one year to create a prototype of the solution. It uses video footage, the same facial recognition technology used to scan CCTV images for faces of known criminals. However, her solution is capable of continually improving at detecting signs of Parkinson’s.

Her FacePrint program received funding from the Michael J. Fox Foundation for two pilot studies. These studies showed her solution had a 88% accuracy at differentiating Parkinson’s disease sufferers from healthy individuals.

Erin has recently pitched her invention at a conference in London called WIRED Health and run by the UK magazine WIRED.

Stanford University is now backing a crowdsourcing trial to refine Erin’s programme.

Adapted from: https://dailym.ai/2MoekCg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9YpnZVuptY

This solution shall not include mention to the use of drugs, chemicals or biologicals (including food); invasive devices; offensive, commercial or inherently dangerous content. This solution was not medically validated. Proceed with caution! If you have any doubts, please consult with a health professional.

DISCLAIMER: This story was written by someone who is not the author of the solution, therefore please be advised that, although it was written with the utmost respect for the innovation and the innovator, there can be some incorrect statements. If you find any errors please contact the patient Innovation team via info@patient-innovation.com

About the author

Erin Smith, born in 2000, in the USA, created FacePrint, a computer program that helps the early detection of Parkinson's disease.

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Comments (11)

  • WesTunrbull20 • Thu, 01/07/2021 - 10:26

    I stopped the Parkinson's medications prescribed due to severe side effects and started on natural treatments from VineHealth Clinic (VHC) in California, the herbal treatment has made a tremendous difference for me. My symptoms including tremors and muscle weakness all disappeared after the months long treatment! Go to ww w. vinehealthclinic. c om. This treatment is simply amazing!  

  • Amy Grahams • Thu, 01/28/2021 - 18:25

    After my PARKINSON DISEASE diagnosis, I started out taking only Azilect, then Mirapex and sinemet as the disease progressed but didn’t help much. In July last year, I started on PARKINSON DISEASE TREATMENT PROTOCOL from Mayaka Natural Clinic One month into the treatment, I made a significant recovery. After I completed the recommended treatment, almost all my symptoms were gone, great improvement with my movement and balance. Its been a year, life has been amazing (ww w. mayakanaturalclinic. c om).

  • KarenMcNicholas • Thu, 07/08/2021 - 13:04

    After my Cerebellar Ataxia diagnosis, my primary care provider introduced me to Kykuyu Health Clinic and their Ataxia Formula protocol, the herbal treatment has made a tremendous difference for me. My symptoms including numbness and muscle weakness all disappeared after the treatment plan! Their website is w w w. kykuyuhealthclinic. c o m

  • KarenMcNicholas • Thu, 08/05/2021 - 19:17

    After my Parkinson's Disease diagnosis, my primary care provider introduced me to Kycuyu Health Clinic and their Parkinson's disease Formula protocol, the herbal treatment has made a tremendous difference for me. My symptoms including numbness and muscle weakness all disappeared after the treatment plan! Their website is w w w. kycuyuhealthclinic. c o m

  • KarenMcNicholas • Thu, 08/05/2021 - 19:18

    After my Parkinson's Disease diagnosis, my primary care provider introduced me to Kycuyu Health Clinic and their Parkinson's disease Formula protocol, the herbal treatment has made a tremendous difference for me. My symptoms including numbness and muscle weakness all disappeared after the treatment plan! Their website is w w w. kycuyuhealthclinic. c o m

  • KarenMcNicholas • Mon, 10/18/2021 - 16:50

    At the end of the full treatment course, the disease is totally under control. No case of dementia, hallucination, weakness, muscle pain or tremors. family doctor started me on KycuyuHealth Clinic Parkinson's Disease Herbal mixture, 2 months into treatment I improved dramatically. At the end of the full treatment course, the disease is totally under control. No case of dementia, hallucination, weakness, muscle pain or tremors. visit kycuyuhealthclinic . c o m

  • Janice Kraus • Thu, 01/06/2022 - 22:56

    I'm a living proof that you can be cured from Parkinson’s disease, It was one year after experiencing my first Parkinson’s symptom, and not only had they returned, but they were worse. At this point, the doctor was pretty convinced it was Parkinson’s. Hearing those words did not sit well with me, and my wrath unleashed. I was cured naturally with the use of Dr Sims Gomez Herbal Formula. It’s also crucial to learn as much as you can about your diagnosis. Seek options. Find out about what’s out there that could help. Email:( drsimagomez @ protonmail. com) WhatsApp +27731060717. They have herbal formula for ALS/MND, MS and all kinds of Chronic disease.

  • KarenMcNicholas • Mon, 08/29/2022 - 10:42

    I have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease since 2010, by the VA. I found that none of the current medications worked (side effects for me). I currently take Pramipexole dihydrochloride three times daily. It isn’t working well neither. I still have some tremors. Was on carbidopa levodopa but only lasted 90 minutes then wore off. Down side of Carbidopa is after reaching max dosage it will no longer give relief, nothing was working for me and to make matters worse There has been little if any progress in finding a reliable medical treatment for Parkinson’s disease, This year our family doctor started me on Healthherbsclinic Parkinson’s Disease Herbal mixture, 6 months into treatment I improved dramatically. At the end of the full treatment course, the disease is totally under control. No case of Parkinson’s, hallucination, weakness, muscle pain or tremors. I’m strong again and able to go about daily activities. Visit Health Herbs Clinic website healthherbsclinic .com

  • conniesimonton48 • Sat, 02/04/2023 - 12:05

    My grandma has Parkinson’s disease, she is about 75 years old it was detected 7 years ago. Right now it’s getting more difficult to live for her, because of stiff muscles she can’t even move. L-dopa and carbidopa medicines are given, but won"t give much relief. She can"t eat food and the skin is damaging forming ganglia. I thought this might be the last stage and the medications she was given did not help at all, so I started to do alot of research on natural treatments, I was introduced to Health Natural CentreU.S and their Parkinson’s Herbal Protocol. She started on the Parkinson’s Treatment last year, her symptoms gradually diminished including her Tremors, Body Weakness and Muscle Pains. Reach them at healthnaturalcentre.org , She is getting active again since starting this treatment, she is able to walk again ( down the street and back ) and able to ride her treadmill again! God Bless all PD Caregivers. Stay Strong, take small moments throughout the day to thank yourself, to love your self, and pray to whatever faith, star, spiritual force you believe in and ask for strength. I can personally vouch for these remedy but you would probably need to decide what works best for you.

  • KatherineBhana • Mon, 02/05/2024 - 16:01

    After my Parkinsons Disease diagnosis, my neurologist was very open when looking at alternative medicines and procedures, with his guidance i started on natural PARKINSONS DISEASE TREATMENT from Natural Herbs Centre. The treatment worked very effectively for my Parkinson’s, most of my severe symptoms simply vanished within the first 3 months on the treatment, i feel better now than I have felt in years and i can feel my strength again.

  • Violet Wholt • Fri, 06/07/2024 - 02:18

    To me It is very bad what Big pharma are doing, why keep making humans suffer greatly just to get profits annually for medications that don't work. I'm glad that herbal remedies are gaining so much awareness and many people are getting off medications and activating their entire body system with natural herbal remedies and they have become holistically healed totally, It’s also crucial to learn as much as you can about your diagnosis. Seek options: ( worldrehabilitateclinic.  com ).

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