The NeuroEpiTool, a new eHealth tool for neuroepidemiological research
Neurological disorders such as stroke, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease are a growing global problem. Studying how these disorders develop in different populations is vital for prevention and treatment. However, traditional neurological assessments require specialists, expensive equipment, and clinic visits. Consequently, large-scale research can be challenging to perform, especially in low-resource areas.This thesis introduces and validates the NeuroEpiTool, a new web-based app designed to make large-scale neurological research more accessible. The tool allows non-specialist health professionals, such as nurses or psychologists, to perform a simplified digital neurological examination and detect signs and symptoms of neurological disorders. It can also help researchers study how environmental factors, such as pesticide exposure, affect the brain.The research began with a review of almost 100 existing eHealth tools that test neurological function. Many of these tools were limited by language, availability, or lack of research focus. Using these insights, the NeuroEpiTool was developed through collaboration with neurologists, health researchers, and patients. It includes ten simple, comfortable tests—such as walking in a straight line or checking hand coordination.The tool was tested in Italy and Benin, where non-neurologists achieved results similar to those of neurologists, and users rated it easy to use. Overall, the NeuroEpiTool demonstrates strong potential to make neuroepidemiological research more widely accessible, supporting large-scale studies and enhancing the understanding of neurological risk factors worldwide.