eLUNSERS: a SOFTWARE TOOL FOR MONITORING THE SIDE-EFFECTS OF NEUROLEPTIC DRUGS

BACKGROUND Neuroleptics are the drugs of choice in the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar mania and related disorders but suffer from troublesome side-effects such as drug induced parkinsonism, restlessness, facial tics etc. The severity and patient acceptability of these effects varies widely. Research by Dr Jennie Day into the side-effects of neuroleptic drugs has led to the development of a widely recognised questionnaire-based tool, the LUNSERS Scale, for monitoring patients on such medication. This has been adapted into a powerful software application, eLUNSERS, for use by healthcare professionals in the monitoring and management of patients. Using this tool makes it possible to optimise the dose and choice of neuroleptics and other drugs to give good control of the condition yet minimise the unwanted effects on each patient. THE TECHNOLOGY The LUNSERS Scale and eLUNSERS software were developed to help monitor and score the side-effects of neuroleptic drugs used in the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar mania and related disorders. It can be used as a questionnaire with the patient or for self assessment. In either case the answers are input to the computer and the software automatically produces an overall side effects score and highlights particular side effects or groups of side effects which are the most troublesome. Repeated at intervals, it allows drug tolerance to be monitored in individual patients or the effects of changes in treatment to be quantitatively assessed. It includes checks to determine if patients are biasing the outcome, ensuring that the results are consistent and reliable. KEY BENEFITS
• Efficient, reliable and proven approach to measuring neuroleptic side-effects
• Enables case managers to establish baseline measures for individual patients and evaluate changes in medication and alternative strategies for reducing unwanted side-effects
• eLUNSERS is a simple, easy-to-use software tool with an intuitive graphical user interface
• eLUNSERS automates complex analysis and decision making processes regarding potential physical and psychological side-effects POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS Monitoring / managing patients undergoing treatment with neuroleptic drugs PATENT STATUS Copyright to questionnaire and source code and ownership of source code. COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITY Of interest to Pharma Companies, Contract Research Organisations and Healthcare Professionals. CONTACT Gordon Barker, Business Manager, UMIP, The Incubator Building, 48 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9XX [email protected] Tel: +44 (0) 161 606 7213

Type of Offer: Licensing



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