ICAI Lab – AI for Risk Profiling and Decision Support (AI-RONDO)

How to warn people at an early stage that they have Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s? Or that the disease is progressing? And how can we then optimally support them in their daily lives, so that they gain more control over the course of their disease? In the ICAI lab AI for Risk Profiling and Decision Support (AI-RONDO) researchers use artificial intelligence to enable early detection and personalized feedback.

Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s cannot (yet) be cured, but it is possible to optimize the daily functioning of people with these conditions. By taking preventive measures at an early stage and slowing down the process. To make this possible, Radboud University, Radboudumc and imec in OnePlanet Research Center, together with industry and societal institutions, are joining forces in the ICAI lab AI-RONDO, focusing on two pillars:

  • Mapping the risks of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease at an early stage (risk profiling)
  • Providing additional and personalized support to people who have the diseases (decision support)

Risk profiling

There is already a lot of data on patients suffering from Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. By using AI algorithms and models on this information, new links can be found and for example groups facing an increased risk of developing complications can be pinpointed. Using these enriched data it is possible, following diagnosis, to prescribe treatment for a patient specifically designed for their personal risk profile. The signs – such as speaking more softly, articulating less clearly, a change in walking patterns or heart rate – that indicate that something is going wrong, can be analyzed. On the basis of a sign like this, a care provider can prevent further deterioration.

Decision support

AI-RONDO will use digital tools to collect data in the home situation and to provide the patient with personalized feedback. For example an app linked to a bracelet that provides an analysis of how symptoms changed over the course of the day, linked to the taking of medication. Or an avatar, a virtual assistant that engages in conversation with the patient while simultaneously collecting new data on the progression of the disease from their speech. This extra support – in addition to regular care – offers patients more information on and a greater understanding of their own health. This means they have greater control and are able to delay the disease’s progress themselves.

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ICAI

The research is being conducted in ICAI’s AI-RONDO lab. ICAI (Innovation Center for Artificial Intelligence) is a national network that focusses on technology and talent development between knowledge institutions, industry and government in the field of AI.

Three work packages

The research is divided into three work packages (WPs), simultaneously being being worked on.

  • WP1: AI for automated behavior recognition – The goal of this work package is to map and translate signals from the brain into motor features related to Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. And to develop algorithms for behavior recognition that can interpret continuous data streams. Data streams that are routinely used to evaluate neurodegenerative diseases, for example from video images and from various sensors, such as IMU, EMG, EEG and fNIRS.
  • WP2: AI for (home) monitoring for risk detection – In this work package, the research team develops biomarkers for Parkinson’s progression. The ultimate goal of the work is to develop AI tools based on, for example, brain signals, heart rate, skin conductance and eye movements in Parkinson’s patients. These tools can provide patients and caregivers with timely alerts to changes in the disease and personalized advice.
  • WP3: AI for virtual case assistant – The goal of the third work package is to map the deterioration of cognitive and speech skills in people with Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease and develop an avatar: a virtual assistant that supports them in everyday life. For example, to organize their schedule or hold a conversation. During these contact moments, new data is also collected about the patient’s speech.

The ICAI Lab team

Tom Heskens

Prof. Tom Heskes

Radboud University
Scientific director

Bas Bloem

Prof. Bastiaan R. Bloem

Radboudumc
Scientific director

Marjan Meinders

Dr. Marjan Meinders

Radboudumc / OnePlanet Research Center
Scientific director

Richard Van Wezel

Prof. Richard van Wezel

Radboud University
WP-manager

Michael Tangermann

Prof. Michael Tangermann

Radboud University
WP-manager

Henk van den Heuvel.png

Dr. Henk van den Heuvel

Radboud University
PhD / WP-manager

Helmer Strik

Dr. Helmer Strik

Radboud University
PhD / WP-manager

Luc Evers

Luc Evers

Radboudumc
Lab manager

Ana Ligia Silva De Lima

Dr. Ana Ligia Silva de Lima

Radboudumc
post-doctoral researcher

Janne Heijs

Janne Heijs

University of Twente
PhD-student

Helena Cockx

Helena Cockx

Radboud University
PhD-student

Elsbeth Van Dam

Elsbeth van Dam

Radboud University
PhD-student

Wei Xue

Wei Xue

Radboud University
PhD-student

Cristian Tejedor Garcia

Dr. Cristian Tejedor

Radboud University
post-doctoral researcher

Simone Wills

Simone Wills

Radboud University
PhD-student

Sabine Schootemeijer

Sabine Schootemeijer

Radboudumc
PhD-student

Robin Van Den Bergh

Robin van den Bergh

Radboudumc
PhD-student

Juan Delgado Teran

Juan Delgado Terán

University of Twente
PhD-student

ICAI lab partners

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OnePlanet Research Center

OnePlanet Research Center is a multidisciplinary collaboration between the R&D center for nano- and digital technology imec, Radboud University, Radboudumc and Wageningen University and Research. The center develops feasible and manufacturable solutions at the cross-over between nutrition, health, agriculture, environmental science and high-tech.

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Radboud University

Radboud University is a student-centred university in The Netherlands, active in almost all scientific fields. According to the ‘Keuzegids Universiteiten 2020′, Radboud University is the best of the ‘traditional’, broad universities in The Netherlands. The university has 7 faculties, about 23000 students, and almost 3000 fte of academic staff (including staff of Radboud university medical centre). For its core activities of research and teaching, Radboud University draws its inspiration from academic curiosity and the demands placed upon the university by society.

Radboudumc

Radboudumc

Radboudumc (university medical center) wants to be at the forefront of the formation of sustainable, innovative and affordable health care. It wants to be the most person-oriented and innovative university medical center and thus distinguish itself and be recognized. The Radboudumc wants to belong to the absolute top, nationally and internationally, by constantly striving to further improve care, research and education. In short, the Radboudumc wants to have a significant impact on healthcare.

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imec

Imec is a research and innovation hub in nanoelectronics and digital technology. Imec is known for leveraging world-class infrastructures and local and global ecosystems of diverse partners across a multitude of industries. The aim of imec is to accelerating progress towards a connected, sustainable future. Imec-NL has a location in Eindhoven, which focusses on vitality & wellbeing, mobility, smart & intuitive spaces and environmental monitoring as part of the Holst Centre, an independent open-innovation R&D center by imec and TNO. Other locations are Nijmegen and Wageningen as part of OnePlanet Research Center, with the focus on developing technological innovations for a sustainable future in food, agriculture, and health.

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ANT Neuro

ANT Neuro is a Dutch corporation specialized in the development, marketing and sales of medical and research applications.

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Artinis Medical Systems

Artinis Medical Systems is an innovative Dutch company active in the field of medical research equipment and quality assurance equipment.

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Info Support

Info Support is the specialist in developing high quality software solutions and leading in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), cloud architecture, managed services and IT training.

Nivel

Nivel

Nivel, Netherlands institute for health services research, is the national institute for health services research in the Netherlands. Nivel is an independent organisation which carries out high quality research with a demonstrable impact upon society.

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Noldus Information Technology

Noldus Information Technology is a company that provides integrated systems including software, hardware, and services.

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Orikami Personalized Healthcare

Orikami is a Dutch MedTech organization that specializes in applied data science and in the development and implementation of digital biomarkers to enable personalized healthcare for people with chronic diseases.

ParkinsonNet

ParkinsonNet

ParkinsonNet strives to improve the lives and guarantee the best possible care for people impacted by Parkinson’s disease.

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Stichting Open Spraaktechnologie

Stichting Open Spraaktechnologie aims to make high-quality Dutch speech technology available to the Dutch research community, non-profit institutions and interested third parties for the purpose of stimulating research and innovation around speech technology and its use.

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Virtask

Virtask is an optimistic and innovative company with the mission of making life easier for its clients, through the application of advanced virtual communication techniques.