Brain Analyzer May Diagnose Alzheimer's

A portable device that provides an almost instantaneous reading of brain activity and swiftly detects any activity that differs from the norm may serve as a screening device for Alzheimer's disease.

The device, called NeuroGraph, was developed for reading submarine sonar signals. A cap outfitted with electrodes analyzes brain activity and compares it to the brain activity of a sample of healthy people. In addition to assisting in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's, the device may be useful for assessing the results of a stroke or other ailment affecting the brain. Also, the U.S. Office of Naval Research (ONR, Arlington, VA, USA) is investigating whether the patented device could be used for the early detection of physiologic changes in the brain that could impair the performance of pilots and divers. Another potential application is use in pharmaceutical trials to test the efficacy of new drugs on brain activity compared to drugs already on the market.

"The software that analyzes brain activity is based on a mathematical model of the cerebral cortex,” explained Dr. Thomas McKenna, ONR program officer for the project. NeuroGraph, the product of Thuris Corp. (Newport Beach, CA, USA), is undergoing clinical research at a number of medical centers. The device has been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).




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