Walking and hand-movement patterns as digital clues for early dementia
Neural mechanisms of gait disturbances as individualized digital biomarker trajectories in preclinical dementia
['FUNDING_R01'] · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · NIH-11196224
The team will use smartphone and camera recordings plus AI to track walking and hand movements to find early signs of Alzheimer's and related dementias in people before diagnosis.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | STANFORD UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (STANFORD, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11196224 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would have your walking and hand movements recorded during simple tasks at home and in clinic using cameras, smartphones, and 3-D motion tools. Advanced computer-vision and AI methods will convert these movement recordings into personalized digital trajectories that may signal early brain changes linked to Alzheimer's and related dementias. Researchers will compare these movement patterns to known biomarkers and cognitive tests to help distinguish different kinds of dementia and early Mild Cognitive Impairment. The project aims to create easy-to-use, unbiased measures of movement that can be tracked over time without relying on language, education, or complex clinic visits.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are older adults, especially those with memory concerns or early cognitive changes, who can walk and are willing to have movement recorded at home or in clinic.
Not a fit: People who are non-ambulatory, have severe mobility impairments, or cannot use or allow video recordings are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help detect Alzheimer-related changes earlier and noninvasively so people can be monitored or start interventions sooner.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked slower or irregular gait to cognitive decline, but applying 3-D imaging and AI to create individualized digital biomarker trajectories is a newer and less-tested method.
Where this research is happening
STANFORD, UNITED STATES
- STANFORD UNIVERSITY — STANFORD, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: ADELI, EHSAN — STANFORD UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: ADELI, EHSAN
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 below.
Conditions: Alzheimer disease dementia