Wow – I just returned from the most recent BrainMind Summit in New York, and it was an incredibly enlightening experience. This year’s summit focused on two core themes: Neuromodulation and the Impact of Art (Music, Drawing, Dance) on the Brain – an emerging field called “Neuro-Arts.” BrainMind is an invite-only community that brings together entrepreneurs, scientists, and investors to bridge the funding gap for groundbreaking ideas in neuroscience. Below are some of the highlights from this New York BrainMind conference.
NEUROMODULATION AND BRAIN-COMPUTER INTERFACE TECHNOLOGIES
BrainGate Brain Gate is an implantable computer-brain interface requiring craniotomy. This technology assists speech in patients such as those with ALS and is available only in research studies at institutions like Stanford University and the University of California Davis.
VibraCool Dr. Amy Baxter, Founder and CEO of Harmonic Pain Solutions, presented the VibraCool, a vibrating and cooling puck with a strap used to treat low back pain. Mechanical neuromodulation using vibration blocks pain, resulting in a 57% pain reduction. Dr. Baxter also has an insightful TED talk on pain management.
Sanmai Lotus MVP Sanmai’s Lotus MVP is the first FDA-cleared device using transcranial ultrasound to treat anxiety. Exiting stealth mode at BrainMind, this device has shown clinically significant reductions in anxiety for 71% of participants. Clinical effects are observed after eight sessions in treatment-resistant patients. The company is collaborating with the Acacia Clinics in Sunnyvale, CA and beyond to run the first double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. This device can be tailored to individual patients using brain MRI to target specific areas like the amygdala or posterior cingulate. Learn more at founder Jay Sanguinett’s talk from the prior BrainMind Summit here (the most recent one hasn’t been posted yet). See the picture below of technology from their table at BrainMind; they wouldn’t let me try it on, unfortunately, but it gives you an idea of what it looks like.
Elemind Just exiting stealth mode the week after this BrainMind Conference, Elemind is developing next-generation wearables for health and wellness using sound waves to aid sleep. Their device has shown a 76% improvement in sleep quality in clinical tests. Elemind plans to expand into areas such as tremor suppression and anesthesia dosing based on brain waves.
INNOVATIVE APPLICATIONS OF “NEURO-ARTS”
MedRhythms One of the featured technologies in the “lab” part of the BrainMind conference, where you can interact with or see the concrete devices at least, was MedRhythms, which helps modulate gait disturbances for stroke patients with music tempo. This innovative approach combines music therapy with physical rehabilitation.
Dance for Parkinson’s Disease Another exciting application discussed was the use of dance therapy for Parkinson’s disease. Dance has been shown to improve motor function and quality of life for Parkinson’s patients.
NeuroElectrics NeuroElectrics introduced Enobio EEG technology that listens to brain waves and transforms them into personalized music and Haikus. This combination of art and neuroscience aims to enhance mental well-being through creative expression.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) INNOVATIONS
Pi.Ai Co-founded by Reid Hoffman and with CEO Sean White at the helm, Inflection AI created Pi.Ai, which stands out due to its exceptional emotional intelligence, which allows it to understand and respond to human emotions with remarkable accuracy and empathy. Unlike traditional AI models that focus primarily on processing data and performing tasks, Pi.Ai is designed to foster positive, compassionate interactions. It aims to increase kindness and goodness in the world by prioritizing emotional context and nuanced understanding in its responses. This unique focus on emotional intelligence sets Pi.Ai apart, making it a powerful tool for enhancing human well-being and connection.
Recollecti.AI Alice Albrecht, Ph.D., Founder and CEO of recollect.ai, is working on enhancing human intelligence with AI managing cognitive overload, focus, and memory through augmentation via machine intelligence integrated into wearables. This technology could be on the horizon soon!
FUTURE DIRECTIONS
Phantom Neuro Phantom Neuro is currently approved for external devices and is researching implantable prosthetic devices. Their goal is to merge humans and machines to empower people with disabilities, such as amputations or other injuries, to maintain function. The studies for Phantom Neuro are taking place in Australia, with plans for future research in other locations.
Humanity Neurotech Blake Gurfein, PhD, at UCSF, introduced non-invasive neurotech for inflammation and cancer treatment. Their device, which disrupts mitochondria with magnetic technology, will be available in July 2024, with studies beginning in November.
Synchron Synchron’s brain-computer interface (BCI) technology is inserted in a vein, offering a less invasive alternative to craniotomy. This endovascular BCI device, known as the Synchron Switch, is designed to help patients with severe motor impairments control digital devices using their thoughts, thereby improving their ability to perform everyday tasks such as emailing, online shopping, and using telehealth services. The technology is currently being evaluated through clinical trials under the COMMAND study, which focuses on patients with severe paralysis. These trials are being conducted at several prominent locations: Mount Sinai Health System in New York City, University at Buffalo Neurosurgery, and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), in collaboration with Carnegie Mellon University College of Engineering.
IN CONCLUSION
If you’re a scientist, investor, philanthropist, or entrepreneur interested in the Brain-Mind space, consider applying to attend at BrainMind’s website.
Attending the BrainMind Summit was a remarkable opportunity to explore cutting-edge advancements in neuroscience and connect with innovators driving the future of brain health and technology. I look forward to seeing these developments impact patient care and treatment in meaningful ways.
My only conflict of interest disclosure – I recently joined the Advisory Board of BrainMind, the non-profit described above that helps to support neuroscience innovation and prevent meaningful technologies from dying in the funding valley of death. I have no other conflicts of interest to disclose with the above companies. All information shared is for the purpose of sharing education and knowledge.
If you have feedback on this article or on future topics you’d like to see Dr. Maia Mossé write about or are interested in working with Dr. Mossé, feel free to message the team at [email protected] or via Instagram at @villagedoctor.
Read Also: Saunas: Major Health Benefits, Where And How To Use
Maia Mossé, MD, July, 2024
Call The Village Doctor at (650) 851-4747 or Contact us to learn more about the practice.
