A group of scientists, including a Portuguese researcher from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto (FMUP), discovered that sounds may help in the assessment of people with Parkinson's disease, an international study revealed today. The study starts from the premise that we can all see the tremors that occur in many Parkinson's patients, but questions what happens when the main symptom is slowness or lack of movement. Also Read: Researchers from Porto study new drug for the treatment of Parkinson's (Portuguese version) The conclusion, as can be read in a summary sent to the Lusa agency by FMUP, is that "what the eyes do not capture can now be apprehended and interpreted through sounds and artificial intelligence". The study, published in Parkinsonism & Related Disorders, involved 54 people with Parkinson's disease and 28 people without the disease. The scientists recorded the sounds heard in simple motor tasks that patients repeat frequently, such as tapping their hands on the table or opening and closing their fingers. This was followed by an analysis of these sound signals, using machine learning models. Also Read: This is what a doctor does to lose weight and increase longevity (Portuguese version) The speed and amplitude of the movements were taken into consideration, considering hesitations and changes in the movements performed. On World Parkinson's Disease Awareness Day, which is celebrated this Thursday, April 11, FMUP highlights that the main result of this study "consists of the creation of an algorithm that detects and analyzes the sound signals of people with motor problems, more specifically with slowness of movement (bradykinesia), one of the main symptoms of Parkinson's disease". Also Read: Two seemingly harmless foods that increase the risk of dementia (Portuguese version) "What is interesting is that, in some patients, it may be easier to hear bradykinesia than to actually see it", says Rui Araújo, a professor at FMUP and a neurology specialist, quoted in the summary sent to Lusa. The scientists used existing technology to demonstrate that it is possible to assess and classify, with greater objectivity, the motor problems characteristic of Parkinson's disease, "avoiding the subjectivity and variability resulting from classification based solely on the image". "The quantitative and more objective measurement of the severity of patients' symptoms may also contribute to a better diagnosis and may help to better monitor treatment outcomes in clinical practice", it is also described. Also Read: Scientists discover food that prevents brain aging (Portuguese version) According to the group of scientists, the idea of listening to movements in Parkinson's disease arose from a case study involving a professional violinist who began to report increasing difficulty in playing the violin. The analysis of the sound signals, in this case, showed a decrease in the intensity and frequency of the movements over time, compatible with tremor and audible bradykinesia, recorded for the first time by the same group of researchers. Thus, one of the immediate applications of the model now developed is its use in clinical trials, where patients can be assessed in a properly controlled environment. The goal is that this type of model can be standardized and used in the clinic or even in patients' homes. Also Read: Experts reveal nine habits that contribute to a longer life (Portuguese version) In addition to Rui Araújo, the following researchers from the Netherlands participated in this work: Debbie de Graaf, Nienke M. de Vries, Bastiaan R. Bloem and Joanna IntHout (Center of Expertise for Parkinson & Movement Disorders), Madou Derksen and Koos Zwinderman (Amsterdam UMC). The project was funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO), Verily Life Sciences LLC and the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy. Also Read: Surgeon warns of sign of silent killer. The clue is in the head (Portuguese version)