AI-powered 3D tools to improve Parkinson’s care
Official title: Scalable and Affordable Artificial Intelligence-driven Clinical Decision Support for Movement Disorders
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11450678 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new AI-based system uses 3D data to help doctors diagnose and manage Parkinson’s disease, with a focus on rural patients who often have limited access to specialists.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $618,523 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS146515-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11450678 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People living with Parkinson’s disease or suspected PD who may benefit from AI-assisted diagnostic and management support.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unlikely to be PD or those not using digital health technologies may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to integrate 3D modeling and AI into everyday clinical practice for people with Parkinson’s disease. It focuses on making diagnoses more accurate, predicting outcomes, and guiding personalized treatment while improving workflow for clinicians. The effort will be tested in real-world settings to ensure the technology works in diverse care environments, including low-resource areas. By addressing barriers like black-box concerns and biases, the project strives to deliver safer, more trustworthy tools that enhance patient quality of life.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with Parkinson’s could receive faster, more accurate diagnoses and more tailored care, even in communities with limited access to specialists.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows promise with AI in PD care, but real-world validation and 3D integration remain limited, making this both a continued advancement and a relatively novel effort.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kwon, Hyeokhyen — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Kwon, Hyeokhyen
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.