Neurotechnologies to monitor sleep and develop soft robotics for Neurodegenerative patients

Supervisors: Dr Liz Coulthard, Bristol Medical School Dr Anne Roudaut, Department of Computer Science Email: lu20001@bristol.ac.uk Twitter: @BiswasImmi Github: Bijetri-Biswas

 

Project Summary: 

The first goal of my PhD project is to understand the experience of sleep monitoring using wearable Actigraph and Electroencephalogram (EEG) headbands in clinical research for Neurodegenerative patients. There is a paucity of tests for monitoring sleep in Dementia. The gold standard method to monitor sleep using polysomnography (PSG) is conducted in a sleep laboratory which does not always give an accurate representation of sleep cycles. Therefore, I hope to explore various digital measures to capture digital metrics of disease testing and progression in patients. This will enable us to understand biological rhythms and how it affects long-term memory in the progression of developing dementia. To facilitate remote testing and assistance, the Dignio mobile application will be used. This will help to deliver personalised treatment for Dementia by identifying early biomarkers for clinicians. The project is part of the Bristol Brain Centre (ReMemBr Group) at Southmead Hospital.

My second goal is to use the empirical data to ideate and develop digital tangible soft robotics prototypes to aid mental health and wellbeing. Research has shown an association between sleep disturbance on mental health and neurodegenerative disorders. I will use participatory approaches working closely with patients, caregivers, social workers and relatives to design digital solutions.  This work will not only help with design contributions from the human-computer-interaction aspect, but it will also improve clinical care planning, both now, and in the future. Peripheral to my project, I am also broadly interested in the transformation in patient care and how technology can improve health systems as well as influence policymaking. My current research interests lie within robotics, multimodal sensor arrays to improve patients with cerebrovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. 

General Profile:

I graduated with a 1st Class BSc (Hons) in Neuropsychology, specifically in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, from the University of Central Lancashire. My dissertation focused on the influence of sleep on the ability to recognise human emotional voices using EEG. During my undergraduate, I was awarded a 50% bursary every year towards my tuition fee and elected to be on Dean's List. Following that, I undertook an MSc at the University of Nottingham, focused on computational and cognitive neuroscience. My project involved developing a multimodal imaging protocol as a potential risk factor for cerebrovascular diseases. During my time on the MSc I achieved the Nottingham Advantage Award and also continued to work in collaboration with Nottingham Medical School in the systematic reviewer team for Neuroepidemiology, psychiatry and global ageing. My professional and work experience roles exposed me to psychiatry, neurology, neurosurgery, neuroimaging, counselling, primary school, care, and community organisation.  These experiences taught me to be resilient and confident when dealing with individuals with challenging conditions. It also initiated my interest in MedTech and its future in practice. I also completed a placement in Bangladesh where I worked in a government hospital within the Psychiatry Department which enabled me to gain hands-on experience of working with people with diverse mental health needs. I hope to continue working in a clinical setting by applying my knowledge of digital health and develop my own start-up business in the future.

Publications:

Stephan, B., Tang, E. Y., Pakpahan, E., Biswas, B., Gupta, A., McGrattan, A., Bosco, A ., Richardson, C., Robinson, L., and Siervo, M. 'Secular Trends in Dementia Free Cognitive Function in Older Adults: A Systematic Review'. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 1-12. DOI: 10.3233/JAD-220162

Blossom Stephan, Mario Siervo, Alessandro Bosco, Bijetri Biswas, Alisha Gupta, Eugene Tang, Andrea McGrattan, 'Secular trends in cognitive function in the older global population', PROSPERO 2020 CRD42020173933

Ó Breasail, M.; Biswas, B.; Smith, M.D.; Mazhar, M.K.A.; Tenison, E.; Cullen, A.; Lithander, F.E.; Roudaut, A.; Henderson, E.J. Wearable GPS and Accelerometer Technologies for Monitoring Mobility and Physical Activity in Neurodegenerative Disorders: A Systematic Review. Sensors 2021, 21, 8261. https://doi.org/10.3390/s2124826

Awards:

• The Dean's List (UCLAN)
• Nottingham Advantage Award
• 50% Undergraduate Scholarship