TrueGait: Redefining Preclinical Gait Analysis
About
Neurologic disease is the leading cause of disability worldwide, but translating gait deficits from animal models to humans remains a major challenge.
Existing tools constrain gait analysis to straight-line walking. TrueGait allows natural, two-dimensional gait visualization from below, with AI-powered analytics to quantify stride length, agility, and speed more accurately.
Team
Dr. Neil A. Nadkarni (PI)
Dr. Chan, Dr. Miguel M. Madeira
Professors: Dr.Stella Tsirka, Dr. Joe
Verghese
Students: Chunbin Lin, Jason Qian
Why It Matters
- Improves clinical relevance of preclinical gait analysis
- Supports NIH goals to reduce animal use through richer, quantifiable data
- Market opportunity across preclinical labs, neuroscience companies, and behavioral research tools
How Might We
How might we more naturally and precisely measure gait in preclinical disease models to improve translation of neurologic therapies to the clinic?
Elevator Pitch
TrueGait is a prototype device that uses a bottom-view camera and AI-powered analysis to capture natural, two-dimensional gait patterns in preclinical models — overcoming the limits of existing one-dimensional systems and providing more clinically relevant data at lower cost.
Stage: Build
Prototype Validation & Early Data
Hardware + software prototype built
Early imaging + AI analysis successful
How B&B Can Help
Beyond funding, we seek:
● IPP support for technology disclosure and licensing strategy
● Computer science validation of AI code
● Mentorship on grant applications and customer discovery (STTR, NIH)
● Pilot partners in preclinical labs and device companies