CyberEurope

The problem

Manic-depression psychosis, also known as bipolar disease, is a mood disorder characterized by alternating periods of mania and depression. The current methodologies of diagnosis of this disease are based on self-reported experiences, typically done after a crisis episode has elapsed, that intrinsically lack objectivity due to the patients' depressive or manic condition. The treatment of bipolar disorder is based on pharmacological and psychotherapeutic techniques often characterized by low compliance from patients.

Goals of the project

In this scenario, MONARCA's aim is to develop and validate a closed-loop, multiparametric approach to the treatment, management, and self-treatment of bipolar disorder disease and facilitate effective and efficient therapy that reduces costs and load of the health system, while at the same time improving the quality of life of the patients.

The main project objectives consist in:

Bipolar disorder events assessment based on objective, measurable data;

The technology

In order to reach these objectives, the MONARCA system will be designed and tested for the assessment and prediction of episodes of bipolar disorder disease. The design and tests will be carried out with the involvement of both patients and health care professionals. The system will consist of five main components:

a sensor-enabled mobile phone;

Additionally, GPS location traces, physical motion information, and recognition of complex activities (nutrition habits, household activity, amount and quality of sleep) will be combined into a continuously updated behavioral profile that will be provided to doctors in a meaningful way to support treatment. The system will support both the patients through personalized interfaces, helping them to better manage their disease, and the medical professionals to adjust the therapy.

Expected outcomes

MONARCA aims to facilitate the therapy of bipolar disorder disease effectively and efficiently by adopting an integrated approach spanning technological and medical research areas. From the technological point of view, the project will extend the use of mobile platforms with further development of existing sensor technology to measure accurately physiological and contextual signals related to manic and depressive states. From the medical perspective, MONARCA will focus on objective assessment and prediction of bipolar disorder events and on the discovery of new markers for this disease. A social perspective includes exploration of means and modalities to improve provisioning of health care related to the disease, thus reducing the resource strain (and costs) of the health system, while at the same time enhancing patients' quality of life.

Focus areas include:

accurate assessment of bipolar disorder episodes through objective monitoring;