Current Research Projects
Epilepsy: Factors which lead to or away from life changing surgery.
It has been shown that focal surgery is a very effective route to eliminate to drastically reduce incidences of seizures. It is also known this procedure is highly underutilized. The aim of this study is to mine through large datasets of de-identified private healthcare information to gain a better understanding of the limitations and factors which lead patients to chose not to use this life-changing procedure for medically refractory epilepsy.
Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus: Restoring Motor ability through Shunts
Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) is a condition which often mimics symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease (PD), however, through an action completely different. McGovern’s lab has begun collecting patient evidence which suggests that relieving cerebrospinal fluid pressure may be able to restore or return normal motor behavior to patients who otherwise used common treatments in PD with no significant relief. The hope is to gather enough evidence to propose CSF draining shunts as option for NPH patients.
Parkinson’s Disease: Detecting Falls with Wearable Sensors
Parkinson’s Disease is characterized with progress loss of primarily motor and a progressive loss of cognitive functioning as the disease progresses. Due to a loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of the brain, there is a dopamine (a neurotransmitter) deficit which primarily affects motor circuits resulting in increasingly difficult motor control and functioning like hand tremors and unstable walking which can lead to dangerous falls. The aim of this study is to utilize wearable sensor devices to track key indicators which predict normal behavior and to predict and hopefully one day prevent falls.
Parkinson’s Disease: Deep Brain Stimulation Sensor
Similar to the Wearables project above, this project aims to utilize sensor input data from patients with Deep-Brain-Stimulation (DBS) implants for the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease to gather predictors that allow us to predict (and one day hopefully conteract) a fall.
Parkinson’s Disease: Rehabilitation
With collaboration at the Minneapolis VA, the research team applies the same motion tracking sensor data collection techniques to patient-participants as part of an in-person stay at the clinic. The aim of this study is to develop best-case rehabilitation techniques to aid those recovering with and dealing chronic symptoms.
MN State Fair: Motion Tracking
With the motion tracking of device of other projects, this study aims to collect biomechanic data during the Minnesota State Fair for use in understanding how neurologically healthy people compare to those diagnosed with neurological condition. The aim is to correlate behavior in a natural and active social setting.