Graphe is a study of digital drawing to help identify early markers of Primary Progressive Aphasia.
The Graphe project is based on using non-invasive advanced technologies to help early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration (FTLD). In order to establish a health plan for the person in need and their relatives as soon as possible, early detection of the discriminating signs of the disease, is fundamental. This allows the person to maintain their quality of life and retain autonomy through pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies for as long as possible. Language and motor skills are the first functions to be compromised, with suspected AD and FTLD people reporting difficulties to read and write. Therefore, studying writing/drawing, for AD and FTLD research today is vital.
What is Primary Progressive Aphasia?
Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) is a neurological syndrome in which language capabilities become slowly and progressively impaired.
Unlike other forms of aphasia that result from stroke or brain injury, PPA is caused by neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s Disease or Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration.
Graphe has been developed by
Massey University
New Zealand and Institut Claude Pompidou, CoBTEK/ CMRR, France
Updates
March 2022
Emma Febvre-Richards is traveling in June 2022 to Institut Claude Pompidou in Nice, France to collaborate on this project that has been severely delayed due to Covid-19
January 2020
After the workshop in Nice in October 2019 we have some new members (please see below) for Graphe. Two digital applications from MinDArT are now being re-designed to be used in the ‘graphic parameter’ research project lead by Alexandra Plonka, Dr.Auriane Gros and Dr. Aurélie Mouton. Testing with these applications will take place in the next few months once development is completed.
July 2019
We have a new name ‘Graphe’ (previously Alwrite) in order to better represent the foundation principles of this project. Dr Auriane Gros and Emma Febvre-Richards are scheduled for a protocol development workshop in October 2019 in Nice, France.
Graphe Team
AURIANE GROS
Auriane Gros is lecturer in Neurosciences at the Medicine University of Nice and at CoBTeK (Cognition-Behavior-Technology) laboratory. She’s pedagogical Director of the Department of Speech Therapy in Nice . Her main field of research is the use of new technologies to assess and take care neurodegenerative diseases (such Primary Progressive Aphasia).
ALEXANDRA PLONKA
Alexandra Plonka is a master degree student in speech and language pathology at the Medicine University of Nice, member of the Cobtek Laboratory. She specializes in the diagnosis of primary progressive aphasias via graphical markers.
AURÉLIE MOUTON
Aurélie Mouton is a Neurologist at The Memory Center in Nice, Institut Claude Pompidou in France, where she is in charge of consultations, diagnostics, prescriptions and follow-ups for people with memory or cognitive disorders. Her research interests are centred on early diagnosis of cognitive disorders and care strategies for people with dementia.
ALEXANDRE DERREUMAUX
Alexandre Derreumaux currently works as engineer at the Nice University Hospital Memory Clinic, and at the Cobtek (Cognition, Behaviour, Technology) Research Lab at the University Côte d'Azur.
CAMERON MAY
Cameron May is an artist and programmer. In his art practice, Cameron uses machines, electronics and simulations to create artworks that are indeterminate and unstable. Cameron completed his MFA at Massey University in 2018, and has exhibited across New Zealand and Australia. For the MedArt project, Cameron is applying his coding experience to create a series of unique digital drawing applications.