A Succesful Application... December 23, 2010 at FENS L027, 13:40-14:30

A Succesful Application of Optimal Control
Theory and Techniques to the Optimization of Symptomatic Therapy in Parkinson's
Disease

           By Dr. Selim Hacısalihzade

Abstract: In this talk, we present
the results of a study that employs control theory concepts and methods to
optimize the medication-based treatment of patients affected by Parkinson’s
disease. We derive a third-order nonlinear
mathematical model of the dose-effect relationship of levodopa, one of the most
common drugs used for the symptomatic therapy of Parkinson's disease. This is
accomplished with the aid of a visual-tracking-based method that allows the
measurement of some Parkinsonian symptoms quantitatively and objectively. In
addition, the patient specific parameters of this model are iden­tified. The
so-obtained model is then used to optimize the drug regimen for each patient
individually. We also discuss the clinical results that were obtained in
applying our method.

Short Bio:

Selim Hacısalihzade received his bachelor, master and doctoral degrees all in electrical
engineering from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich.
After lecturing at his alma mater and the University of California at Berkeley
for several years, followed by a National Research Council Fellowship at NASA
Ames Research Centre in California, he switched to the industry where he held
various R&D and ma­nagement positions for many years. His research
interests have mostly been in the field of biomedical applications of automatic
control. During his MBA studies at the International Institute of Management
Deve­lop­ment (IMD) in Lausanne he developed a new taste for the
application of control engineering methods in eco­no­mic and financial
areas. He still benefits from his experience and know-how in these areas,
managing investment portfolios for wealthy customers in his current company,
Hacisalihzade Wealth Management (HWM). Selim is an adjunct professor at the
Bosporus University.

 December 23, 2010,  FENS L027, 13:40-14:30