  Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most frequent neurodegenerative
disease with prevalence among general population reaching 0.1-1 %, and an
annual incidence between 1.3-2.0/10000 inhabitants. The mean age at diagnosis
of PD is 55 and most patients are between 50 and 80 years old. The most obvious
symptoms are movement-related; these include tremor, rigidity, slowness of
movement and walking difficulties. Frequently these are the symptoms that lead
to the PD diagnoses. Later, thinking and behavioral problems may arise, and
other symptoms include cognitive impairment and sensory, sleep and emotional
problems. In this paper we will present an ongoing project that will evaluate
if voice and handwriting analysis can be reliable predictors/indicators of
swallowing and balance impairments in PD. An important advantage of voice and
handwritten analysis is its low intrusiveness and easy implementation in
clinical practice. Thus, if a significant correlation between these simple
analyses and the gold standard video-fluoroscopic analysis will imply simpler
and less stressing diagnostic test for the patients as well as the use of
cheaper analysis systems.
