Launching 2026

Digital Ataxia
Severity Score

A fully digital, objective, and patient-friendly assessment platform for measuring ataxia severity through smart devices

Fully Digital

No human examiner needed

Fine-Grained

Digital features are sensitive to change

Multi-Domain

Motor, cognitive/executive & PROs

Validated

Following established methodologies

Why Digital Assessment?

Beyond SARA

Existing scales lack fine-grained sensitivity and rely heavily on clinician judgment. DASS provides objective, automated measurements.

Comprehensive Coverage

Assesses motor function, fine motor skills, cognition, speech, and patient-reported outcomes in one integrated platform.

Trial-Ready

Built for sensitivity to change with validated methodology, making it ideal for clinical trials and longitudinal studies.

How It Works

01

Device-Based Tasks

Participants complete 10 active tasks using smartphones/tablets with IMU sensors and video capture

02

Patient Reports

Comprehensive PROs covering gait, cognition, mood, and daily function

03

Feature Extraction

Automated derivation of hundreds of digital features from sensor data

04

DASS Composite

Factor analysis combines features into a validated severity score

Assessment Domains

Motor Function
6 tasks
Fine Motor
3 tasks
Cognitive/Speech
9 subtests
Patient-Reported
20+ domains

Project Timeline

2026

Data Collection Phase

All sites begin assessments with regular coordination meetings

2027

Distillation Phase

Statistical analysis and DASS score development

2027+

Validation & Deployment

Clinical validation and integration into research trials

Join the DASS Network
Register your site to participate in this multi-center study and contribute to DASS

Project Management

Jennifer Faber

DZNE Bonn

Philipp Wegner

DZNE Bonn

Location

German Center for
Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)
Bonn, Germany