Sweat-powered fingertip patch accurately monitors Parkinson’s medication

Engineers and neuroscientists at the University of California San Diego have developed a soft, wearable fingertip patch that continuously tracks a patient's Parkinson's disease medication levels through sweat. The device operates using chemicals in the patient's sweat—no batteries required. Its measurements were comparable to those obtained by standard laboratory blood tests.

The technology, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, could enable doctors to precisely tailor daily medication schedules for patients at home.

The patch monitors levodopa, the gold-standard drug for managing the loss of motor control caused by Parkinson’s disease. Prescribing the right dose is challenging: Reducing levodopa leaves patients unable to move, while too much triggers severe, uncontrollable jerking movements.

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