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Michael J. Fox Foundation uses wearables for Parkinson's research

In order to collect data from patients, the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF) has teamed up with Intel to leverage the tech company's tracking prowess. The effort employs Intel's big data analytics platform to comb through stats collected by wearable devices that monitor symptoms. A "multiphase study" will gather data from patients in order to inform drug research and development. Rather than depending on written journals, wearable devices can gather info on slowness of movement, severity of tremors and sleep quality 24 hours a day. The duo also has a mobile app in the works that will add the ability for patients to input their medications and how they're feeling as addition details for researchers.