NEUROELECTRICS’ EEG DEVICE GAINING GROUND

Uses of Innovative Device Could Be Extended Beyond Strokes and Depression

Spanish-based Neuroelectrics is cresting a wave of interest at the moment with its soft helmet device that interprets brainwaves to help analyze and treat illnesses, including depression and strokes. It is not the first product of its kind, Emotiv’s EPOC headset offers out-of-the-lab EEG, but is more often associated with playing World of Warcraft. Neuroelectrics’ high-tech cap is already being used across Europe in treatments for stroke, depression and pain from nerve injuries. In the US, army veteran hospitals are using it for research into post-traumatic stress disorder.

Treatment consists of a series of 20 minute sessions,where electrodes send a low electrical current to a specific part of the brain. Company founder Ana Maiques reports that the sole side-effect is an itching sensation that lasts 15 seconds. Neurostimulation remains a contentious topic, with a report last year released by the University of Melbourne calling into question the benefits of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS).

There is great potential for out-of-lab applications for the EEG cap. Like other devices used in remote monitoring, the patient could wear the device as they go about their normal routine while a doctor keeps track of the situation via the internet. However, at USD$10,000 (€9,063) the devices are too expensive for most patients, but the company is planning a service where they will charge a monthly fee and the device would be handed back on the conclusion of the treatment.