NeuroPath wins Rep. Laurel Lee’s 2025 Congressional App Challenge in Florida’s 15th District

When asked what inspired the creation of NeuroPath, the students said, “Neurodegenerative diseases, like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and Huntington’s, have affected over 50 million people worldwide, and have even taken numerous lives. We have seen the effect of these diseases firsthand, and it truly opened our eyes to the challenges faced by those suffering from these diseases. There is currently no cure for neurodegenerative diseases, which makes this process even more unfortunate and the need for early detection even stronger.

“Our project was inspired by the experience of one team member, whose grandfather recently passed away from Parkinson’s disease. By the time he was diagnosed, at age 78, it was already too late for any early intervention. The entire process was long and painful as it consisted of test after test, endless hospital visits, and major confusion. Watching his gradual decline in independence was a very difficult experience. Usually, by the time these diseases are diagnosed through traditional methods, up to 70% of dopamine-producing brain cells are already gone. Since dopamine plays such a crucial role throughout our bodies, the lack of it can result in numerous symptoms, like tremors, muscle stiffness, slowed movements, and difficulty with balance or coordination. The gradual breakdown of motor and cognitive abilities is truly heartbreaking.

“This experience and research showed us exactly why early detection is so vital for the health of many patients. Parkinson’s tests are complicated, costly, and extensive. Early detection slows progression, improves quality of life, and extends independence. One of the biggest symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases is tremors in the hand, which can have a major effect on a person’s handwriting. This leads to a condition called micrographia, which is characterized by abnormally small or cramped handwriting. Also, this usually means that a person’s handwriting becomes progressively smaller as they continue writing. With all of this research in mind, we felt inspired to try and help with this issue by creating an innovative app that can detect whether a person is at risk for a neurodegenerative disease based on a simple picture of their handwriting.”