Supporting Cognitive Functions in epileptic patients using transcranial current stimulation

Inleiding

AlphaSys BV is a neuro medtech company focusing on alleviating the burden of epilepsy. Epilepsy is one of the biggest neurological disorders, affecting about 70 million people worldwide.

Impact of Epilepsy

Epileptic activity in the brain, independent from whether or not it accumulates in a seizure, always has detrimental effects on cognitive brain networks and subsequently on cognitive abilities.

Consequently, many epilepsy patients, and especially children, show considerable cognitive decline because of their condition and treatment, with measurable and documented decreases in school and academic performances.

Concerns of Parents and Caretakers

This huge impact on a patient’s and child’s life perspective is a great concern for parents and caretakers. Still, these cognitive effects of epilepsy are largely ignored and heavily under-investigated, not to mention under-treated in current interventions.

Need for a Solution

What is needed is a wearable home-use brain stimulation technology capable of preventing cognitive decline caused by epileptic neural activity and effectively supporting cognitive functions in epilepsy.

Transcranial Current Stimulation (TCS)

Transcranial Current Stimulation (TCS) is a noninvasive neuromodulation technology using a portable and wearable stimulation device that primarily includes a battery and contact points for two connected electrodes.

Recent studies documented that TCS can successfully enhance brain networks, i.e., improve cognitive functions such as attention and memory.

Project Objectives

In this project, we will examine the feasibility of developing a home-TCS for epileptic patients in order to support (improve and at minimum prevent decline) cognitive functioning.

Alignment with Strategic Initiatives

The project activities fit within KIA2: Health & Care and KIA6: Social Earning Capacity.