A consortium of Basque companies is working on the development of a technological solution for the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of the disorders in child neurological development. The Haur Zaintz@ project began in 2009 and it is expected to be completed by 2011.

This new technology will be used by doctors and specialists at hospitals, homes, schools or public administrations dealing with children suffering from neurofunctional development problems. The goal of the project is the development and implementation of social, technological and therapeutic solutions based on technology platforms and friendly interfaces to improve the diagnosis methods and the treatments for these disorders.

Among the infant neurological development disorders, the Asperger's Syndrome shows a high incidence, affecting 48 in every 10,000 people and with an occurrence rate 5 times higher in male vs. female patients aged over 6-7 years. Although the set of symptoms can vary depending on age, social disability becomes more evident as time goes by. The group of children suffering from Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) presents a similar problem; it has an incidence of 7 cases in every 1,000 child and it affects 3-5% of children (one per classroom).

The system is based on a series of sub-systems focusing mainly on the development and integration of hardware and software. Virtual reality and 3D techniques, capture of brain signals through Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), or embedded and software applications for data processing and decision-making (either automatic or assisted) are some of the techniques addressed. Likewise, a Web tool is under development for tele-treatment and tele-monitoring of these diseases using the same technologies.

The Haur Zaintz@ project is funded by the Basque Government within the framework of the Etorgai programme; it started in 2009 and is expected to end in 2011. The project, led by Bilbomática, involves many companies such as Progenika, GTS Thaumat, Virtualware, Bizgorre, and entities like the Itxaropena Foundation (Psychological Tele-Health Care), University of Deusto (Deustotech-Vida, engineering department, and DeustoSalud, the department for neuromuscular and neuromotor diseases), Osatek and Bioef.