Innovative Diagnostic Pen Uses Handwriting to Detect Parkinson's Disease

Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles have introduced a novel, low-cost diagnostic tool designed to identify Parkinson's disease through handwriting analysis. This innovative device, a specially engineered pen, translates the subtle motor movements involved in writing into measurable electrical signals, allowing for early and accurate detection of Parkinson's. In a pilot study involving 16 participants—comprising three Parkinson's patients and 13 healthy controls—the pen demonstrated a remarkable 96.22% accuracy in diagnosing the disease.

Parkinson's primarily disrupts motor functions, causing symptoms such as tremors, rigidity, and slowed movements, which adversely affect fine motor skills like handwriting. Traditionally, diagnosis relies heavily on subjective clinical observations, which can vary between practitioners and may not be feasible in resource-limited settings. Biomarker-based tests, although more objective, often entail high costs and complex procedures.

The UCLA team designed the pen with a silicone magnetoelastic tip embedded with magnetic particles and filled with ferrofluid ink containing nanomagnets. As users write, the mechanical pressure deforms the tip, moving the magnetic particles and generating changes in magnetic flux. These shifts induce voltages in an integrated coil, capturing real-time motor signals during handwriting.

Participants performed tasks including drawing lines, spirals, and writing letters on paper and in mid-air. The signals collected were processed through various neural network models, with the most effective—a one-dimensional convolutional neural network—achieving the 96.22% accuracy in disease classification. This technology bypasses subjective visual assessments, offering a portable, easy-to-use device that could facilitate Parkinson's screening in remote, underserved, or home environments.

With further validation on larger populations, this pen could not only serve as a screening tool but also monitor disease progression and assist in tailored treatment plans. The authors emphasize that this tool is a low-cost, widely accessible technology capable of transforming Parkinson's diagnosis and management.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-diagnostic-pen-electrical-parkinson.html