Dictionary
Dictionary that provides clear and concise explanations of terms related to Parkinson's disease and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Medical-Related Terms
Motor symptoms are symptoms affecting movement and balance. In Parkinson’s disease, they are common, and generally the most visible symptoms. People with Parkinson’s disease can experience motor symptoms such as stiffness, slowness of movement, tremor at rest or during gait. Resting tremor usually affects the upper limbs, being commonly asymmetric, but it can be present in the lower limbs as well, or the chin.
In medicine, the term prodromal refers to the latent period between the appearance of early symptoms of an illness, and when it develops to the point of being more visible. The prodromal stage in Parkinson’s disease is the stage after the disease is present in the brain, but before motor symptoms are prevalent, meaning it is not necessarily diagnosable yet.
During this stage, subtle signs can develop that may not seem connected to Parkinson's at the time. It is important to note that symptoms during the prodromal stage do not always lead to Parkinson's disease, only a small percentage of people with these symptoms go on to develop Parkinson's.
AI-Related Terms
AI, or artificial intelligence, is a technology where computers learn to “think” and solve problems in ways similar to humans. In healthcare, AI can help doctors make better, data-driven decisions, detect diseases earlier, and provide personalized treatments. For example, AI can be used to analyse movement patterns to understand how Parkinson's disease is affecting someone over time.
Machine learning is when computers learn by themselves by looking at lots of examples, similar to how humans learn through experience. Instead of being told exactly what to do, the computer finds patterns from data and improves its understanding over time. For Parkinson’s disease, machine learning can help identify subtle changes in movement, balance, or speech by examining lots of examples from people with the condition, leading to better monitoring and personalized care.
Predictive AI involves AI systems that use data and patterns to predict what might happen in the future. In medicine, this might mean predicting how Parkinson’s disease will progress, helping patients and healthcare providers prepare better treatments or manage symptoms more effectively. It’s like having a smart companion who can help anticipate what might happen next, enabling proactive care.
Generative AI is a type of AI technology that can create new content on its own, such as writing text, making images, or even creating sounds. Think of it like a smart assistant that can generate personalized exercise routines, speech training activities, or daily reminders tailored specifically to the needs and preferences of someone living with Parkinson's disease.