Introduction and aims
Digital biomarkers can provide a cost-effective, objective, and robust measure for
neurological disease progression, changes in care needs, and the effect of interventions.
Motor function, physiology and behaviour can provide informative measures of neurological
conditions and neurodegenerative decline. New digital technologies present an opportunity
to provide remote, high-frequency monitoring of patients from within their homes. The
purpose of the Living Lab study is to develop novel digital biomarkers of functional
impairment in those living with neurodegenerative disease (NDD) and neurological
conditions.
Methods and analysis
The Living Lab Study is a cross-sectional observational study of cognition and behaviour in
people living with NDDs and other, non-degenerative neurological conditions. Patients (n≥25
for each patient group) with Dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Mild Cognitive Impairment, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Stroke along with controls (n≥60) will
be pragmatically recruited. Patients will carry out activities of daily living and functional
assessments within the living lab. The living lab is an apartment-laboratory containing a
functional kitchen, bathroom, bed and living area to provide a controlled environment to
develop novel digital biomarkers. The living lab provides an important intermediary stage
between the conventional laboratory and the home. Multiple passive environmental sensors,
internet-enabled medical devices, wearables, and EEG will be used to characterise functional
impairments of NDDs and non-NDD conditions. We will also relate these digital technology
measures to clinical and cognitive outcomes.
Ethics and dissemination
Ethical approvals have been granted by the Imperial College Research Ethics Committee
(reference number: 21IC6992). Results from the study will be disseminated at conferences
and within peer-reviewed journals.