Highlights
- Design and engineering of measurement methods including stimulus presentation and data acquisition
- Funnelling of raw data into technically and clinically validated biomarkers (dry and digital)
- Advanced data analytics and visualisation including machine learning techniques
- Tailored advice and consulting to meet clients’ needs
What BEA offers
Methods & biomarkers
BEA is engaged in the development of new measurement methods. The raw data collected by these methods are processed and funnelled into informative biomarkers. By combining biomarkers (features) with machine learning we can also yield new insights and new (compound) biomarkers.
Analytics & machine learning
BEA’s analysts aim to distil biomarkers from the vast amount of (raw) data collected. We work with a range of data sources, including data collected using a single method — such as responses to stimuli and questionnaires, or electrophysiological data — as well as data collected from multiple methods or even multiple studies. Data from multiple methods or studies are often used to build predictive and generalisable machine learning models.
Validation
We perform validation studies to ensure the validity of our methods and biomarkers. The first step is to validate the system and/or method based on GAMP5 guidelines. Then, by means of a pilot study, the range, repeatability, and minimal detectable effect of the method is explored. To finalise the validation process, the method is deployed in a clinical trial to assess its power to detect effects of healthcare interventions.
Methodology project examples
NeuroCart®
CHDR’s unique CNS test battery can be used to assess the effects of medication on cognition and possible passage through the blood brain barrier.
PainCart®
Our pain test battery, developed in-house, assesses the effects of medication on different pain domains: heat, cold, mechanical, electrical, skin prick, UVB-induced burn and central pain modulation.
Finger tapping
The finger tapping tasks are simple tools to quantify drug effects on motor symptoms.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
The TMS stimulation paradigm can be customised and combined with EEG and/or EMG.
Threshold tracking
Threshold tracking can provide proof-of-mechanism for ion channels on motor and sensory nerves (nerve excitability) and muscle-specific ion channels (muscle excitability). This method uses QtracW software.
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
o Besides pharmaco-EEG, available EEG tasks include visual/auditory stimuli to assess specific event-related potentials (ERPs).
o Polysomnography is performed with separate electrodes for high signal quality and improved subject comfort.
Tremor measurement
Tremor frequency and severity are assessed with accelerometers and a digitised spiral drawing task.
Virtual reality
Pain tests can be augmented with virtual reality to intensify pain perception through visual cues
Analytics project examples
From raw data to biomarkers
- EEG analysis
· E(R)P analysis in time, frequency, and time-frequency domains
· TMS evoked potential (TEP) analysis in temporal-spatial domain, including statistical analysis of multidimensional TMS-EEG data
· Quantification of high-gamma activity (between 50–170Hz)
- Trial@home remote monitoring
· Estimation of Timed Up and Go (TUG) times using smartphones and wearable devices
· Automated detection of coughing and crying of paediatric patients using a smartphone microphone (paper)
· Monitoring of asthma and cystic fibrosis severity among paediatric patients using a smartphone-connected spirometry device (paper)
- Time-series analysis
· Development of temporal-spatial-frequency biomarkers for finger tapping behaviour
· Development of biomarkers for spiral tracing
· Development of biomarkers for drift in eye focus
· Development of biomarkers for muscle strength and fatigue
Applied machine learning
- EEG analysis
· Identification of features predictive of treatment effects (example)
· Development and validation of a model estimating changes in brain age
- Trial@home remote monitoring
· Identification of features that can distinguish behaviours of patients with major depressive disorder from behaviours of healthy controls
· Estimation of major depressive disorder severity using smartphones and wearable devices
· Exploration of smartphones and wearables to characterise facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) patients (paper)
· Estimation of post-discharge recovery after acute paediatric lung disease using a smartwatch (paper)
- Microbiome analysis
· Identification of key proteins and bacteria for eczema in both lesioned and non-lesioned skin
- Driving performance
· Assessment of drug-induced impaired driving behaviour
· Characterisation of sleep-deprived driving behaviour
