In Bavaria alone, around 60,000 people live with Parkinson’s disease—a complex neurodegenerative condition that affects movement and can severely impact quality of life. While treatments have advanced, many patients still struggle to access consistent and personalized care, particularly outside of major urban centers. To tackle this, the Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU) in Munich launched PARKLINK , a statewide network that connects hospitals across Bavaria to provide better and more coordinated Parkinson’s therapy. Initiated by Prof. Dr. med. Günter Höglinger, Director of the Neurology Department at LMU Klinikum Großhadern, the newly formed network includes eleven different hospitals – from the Ebersberg District Hospital with its acute geriatrics department to the Passauer Wolf Center for Movement Disorders, a specialized Parkinson’s clinic in Bad Gögging.
Orbit Health, a digital health innovator based in Munich, plays a pivotal role in this initiative with its AI-driven continuous remote monitoring solution, Neptune. For the first time, doctors can see what patients experience outside the clinic: how their medication affects symptoms throughout the day, and when they might be struggling most. This level of transparency not only leads to better therapy decisions—it creates a deeper connection between patient and provider.
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A Personalized Window into Each Patient’s Day
Neptune uses wearables — Garmin smartwatches that patients wear throughout the day—to continuously track motor fluctuations and response to treatments. Motion data from the smartwatch is processed using Neptune’s unique AI algorithms to create a detailed picture of the patient’s motor state, from morning until night.
The result? Actionable insights for clinicians to deliver highly individualized care based on real-world data—not just what happens during a clinic visit. It’s a game-changer, especially in a condition like Parkinson’s where symptoms fluctuate throughout the day.
A Moment That Spoke Volumes
During a recent press demonstration at the LMU Clinic, the power of Neptune was on full display. PD Dr. med. Thomas Köglsperger (Head of the Outpatient Clinic for Deep Brain Stimulation & Pump Therapy & Head of Parkinson’s Complex Therapy, Department of Neurology , LMU University Hospital), showed how an interdisciplinary conference via video call can be conducted using the Neptune platform. A neurologist from the Department of Neurology in Ravensburg shared the case of a 71-year-old patient from Russia who reported that his Parkinson’s medication was losing its effectiveness. Despite increasing the dosage, the team in Ravensburg saw no improvement and referred the patient to LMU Hospital in Munich for further evaluation.
There, the patient was equipped with Neptune—which provided detailed insight into his symptoms, including alternating periods of stiffness and excessive, involuntary movements. As Dr. Köglsperger explained, such fluctuations are common in advanced Parkinson’s when medication relief becomes increasingly short-lived.
Thanks to the precise data collected by Neptune, the medical team was able to quickly analyze the patient’s condition without relying solely on short, in-person assessments. With input from a radiologist and neurologists across the network, they carefully weighed treatment options. While surgery was initially considered, the patient’s early-stage dementia made it a less suitable choice. Ultimately, the team opted for a medication pump, a decision supported by the comprehensive, real-time insights Neptune provided. It also reduces the burden on patients to articulate every nuance of their condition—which is difficult to recall.
The Future of Parkinson’s Care Is Here
By being part of the PARKLINK network, Neptune also addresses a critical challenge in healthcare access. Specialists are often concentrated in cities like Munich, leaving patients to travel long distances for expertise. With Neptune, clinicians across the state can collaborate remotely and align treatment plans. It’s a virtual bridge connecting patients to the care they need—wherever they are.
As Parkinson’s care continues to evolve, initiatives like PARKLINK and technologies like Neptune show what’s possible when clinical excellence meets compassionate innovation. Orbit is proud to be part of this movement—one that puts patients at the center, empowers healthcare professionals, and uses AI not to replace, but to enhance the human touch.
