#United Kingdom #EEG Technology #Belfast #Cumulus Neuroscience #Neuroplasticity

Groundbreaking Neuroplasticity Measurement with Ease of Use

Cumulus Neuroscience, a pioneering force in brain health technology, has made significant strides in the field of clinical trials. Recently, the company released a peer-reviewed study in Scientific Reports detailing the effectiveness of their innovative neuroplasticity measurement using a low-burden dry sensor EEG. This development has vast implications for clinical research and treatment methodologies, especially in neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders.

Understanding Neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's remarkable ability to adapt its structure and function in response to experiences, injuries, or diseases. This adaptability allows the brain to create new pathways for compensating damage, learning new skills, and recovering from severe events, such as strokes. Recognizing and measuring these changes is critical in developing effective therapies, especially when addressing psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases where neuroplasticity is often compromised.

The conventional methods for assessing neuroplasticity, particularly those utilizing electroencephalography (EEG), are typically labor-intensive and require considerable time and resources, limiting their application in real-world clinical settings. Cumulus Neuroscience sought to address these barriers with their latest research.

Innovations in Measurement

The study focused on a visual evoked potential (VEP) modulation assessment, which can be used as a non-invasive correlate for neuroplasticity. Crucially, this technique allows for the same measurements that have traditionally required invasive intracranial EEGs in animal models, but without the associated risks and complications.

In their trials, the researchers implemented the NeuLogiq® Platform, which includes a quick setup for a dry EEG headset designed to ease application across multiple clinical sites. This innovative setup was deployed in two clinical trials in the United States with 50 healthy participants, marking a first for VEP modulation assessments at this level of simplicity and scalability.

The findings reported notable changes after modulation: post-modulation P1 amplitude increased significantly across both study groups, while a decrease in N1b amplitude was observed in the clinical group. The reliability of recorded VEP waveforms in this study closely matched those achieved by traditional, more laborious methods using wet EEG technology.

A Scalable Approach to Measurement

Brian Murphy, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer at Cumulus Neuroscience, emphasized the importance of this study, stating, "It is possible to measure neuroplasticity reliably in real-world clinical environments using a non-invasive, low-burden, scalable approach." This breakthrough could allow for the incorporation of objective measurements of neuroplasticity into early-phase drug development, enhancing the speed and efficacy of new treatments for CNS-targeted therapies, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Furthermore, Dr. David Walling, Chief Clinical Officer for CenExel - CNS and Principal Investigator for the study, pointed out the transformative potential of capturing valid VEPs in clinical studies easily. “Historically, we have not had a way to directly measure neuroplasticity outside of animal models, which require invasive techniques,” he explained. “We can now integrate non-invasive VEP measures into clinical workflows, providing crucial biomarkers of treatment effects early in development.”

Conclusion

Cumulus Neuroscience's significant advancements in measuring neuroplasticity not only promote practical applications for multi-site clinical trials but also guide future research and therapy development in neuroscience. The potential to deliver valid results without increasing participant burden while significantly reducing costs opens doors to more efficient and less invasive study methodologies.

In summary, this research represents a crucial step forward in neuroscience clinical trials, with far-reaching implications for understanding and treating a range of neurological disorders. For further information about Cumulus Neuroscience's innovations and updates, visit www.cumulusneuro.com.