Category: Brain
-
VR + sensors improve accuracy, speed of PTSD diagnosis
PTSD is often misdiagnosed. Symptoms can be confused with those of depression. Many clinicians lack the expertise needed to distinguish the condition, and therefore might not provide appropriate treatment. To address this widespread dilemma, Draper has developed a diagnostic system that combines virtual reality data with psychophysiological sensors. The sensors monitor heart rate, sweat, and…
-
Brain state learning system adapts to user focus
BACh (Brain Automated Chorales) estimates brain workload using fNIRS to measure oxygen in the prefrontal cortex to help beginners learn to play Bach chorales. The system offers new lessons when the brain isn’t overloaded with information. Tufts Beste Yuksel and Robert Jacob, who developed the technology, believe that it can help with any type of learning, and specify math,…
-
3D printed gel model replicates brain folding mechanism
L. Mahadevan and Harvard colleagues have used 3D printing to replicate a folding human brain. The goal is to understand how brain folds are related to disease. While many molecular processes determine cellular events, the study shows that what ultimately causes the brain to fold is a mechanical instability associated with buckling. A 3D gel model…
-
Concussion app gauges recovery
As the incidence of and focus on concussion grows, the neurotech community continues to develop diagnostic tools and treatment protocols. One such tool is the NYU developed Concussion Tracker app, and corresponding study, designed to track self-reported physical and cognitive function after concussion. The app does not, however, diagnose concussion. The goal is to monitor…
-
DARPA neural implant to enhance brain-computer connections
DARPA is leading the development of an improved neural implant for connecting the brain to computers, using advances neuroscience, synthetic biology, low-power electronics, photonics and medical manufacturing. Their goal is to to dramatically enhance neurotechnology research capabilities and provide a foundation for new therapies. The Neural Engineering System Design program aims to produce a miniaturized brain implant, smaller…
-
Self-dissolving implanted brain temperature, pressure sensor
Wilson Ray and Washington University colleagues, in partnership with John Rogers, have developed a miniaturized wireless device to monitor temperature and pressure when implanted into the brain following TBI. The implant then dissolves, to be naturally reabsorbed into soft tissue, once no longer needed. Current methods involve an implanted sensor that must be hard-wired to an external…
-
Handheld spectrometer identifies low-grade brain tumors
Emory and Georgia Tech researchers have developed a highly sensitive spectrometer to identify low-grade gliomas from healthy tissue. The hand-held device contains a light source and detector tuned to the excitation and emission wavelengths of PpIX. The team claims that the device is 3 times more sensitive than current surgical microscopes, and enables the detection of as…
-
Smart helmet + rate activated strap could minimize head injury severity
The Army Research Lab continues to develop technology aimed at protecting soldiers, athletes and others from impact related head injury. Its rate-activated helmet-strap can prevent violent head motions, while permitting (necessary) voluntary head motion. The material stretches with low, elastic force at slower speeds, and resists with high force when pulled quickly upon impact. Used…
-
Brain architecture linked to consciousness, abstract thought
UMass professor Hava Siegelmann used fMRI data from tens of thousands of patients to understand how thought arises from brain structure. This resulted in a geometry-based method meant to advance the identification and treatment of brain disease. It can also be used to improve deep learning systems, and her lab is now creating a “massively recurrent deep learning…
-
CTE/sports head trauma link examined
BU, Cleveland Clinic, Banner Alzheimer’s Institute and Brigham and Women’s have received a $16 million NIH grant to improve the detection and diagnosis of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and examine risk factors for the disease. The study is the first to examine CTE in living patients, with the goal of understanding the link between CTE and head…
-
Study: Thalamus stimulation alters activity, alertness
Stanford researchers have used optogenetic lasers targeted at the thalamus to turn whole-brain activity on and off in rats. They hope that this will lead to improved optogenetic therapy for humans, as the thalamus controls memory, attention, and sleep. The study was led by Jin Hyung Lee, Hyun Joo Lee, Jia Liu, Andrew Weitz and Zhongnan Fang.…
-
Implant + wearable to track neuromodulation effectiveness
Medtronic is linking its implanted devices with Samsung’s phones and tablets to better monitor the effectiveness of neuromodulation technologies. (Click to view Samsung release.) Those with implanted neurostimulators, which send electronic signals to targeted areas of the brain to block symptoms, can have a more active role in the management of their diseases. Parkinson’s, essential tremor and…