2023 IPHA SPOTLIGHT: NATHAN INTRATOR & NEUROSTEER

MEETING INNOVATORS OF BRAIN HEALTH (part 1)

By: Marilyn Abrahamson

Since December 2022, I've been privileged to be part of a distinguished group of professionals known as the Brain Health Collaborative. As the associate director, I've had the honor of meeting and learning from many of the remarkable individuals within our ranks.

On June 14, 2023, I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Nathan Intrator, the visionary CEO of Neurosteer Inc., a groundbreaking company he established in 2015. Dr. Intrator's expertise lies in mathematics, particularly in signal processing, and his fascination with the human brain led him to write his doctoral dissertation on the subject of neuroplasticity.

Neurosteer’s FDA cleared platform represents a remarkable advancement in the form of a user-friendly, portable brain activity monitor that utilizes EEG technology to measure various aspects of brain function, including engagement, attention, emotional state and cognitive load. As a professional devoted to brain health, I am perpetually seeking answers to the most pressing questions about brain training and how to optimize its benefits. That is why Dr. Intrator's work captivated me, and I eagerly seized the opportunity to meet and interview him.

During our conversation, Dr. Intrator illuminated the multitude of future applications for Neurosteer (subject to additional FDA clearances) in both the diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative conditions such as epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's. Remarkably, this is achieved using a small patch on the forehead with just a single EEG channel. Recent pilot studies have shown that Neurosteer can provide enable preclinical diagnoses of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, and other neurodegenerative conditions before symptoms manifest.

Dr. Intrator also revealed that Neurosteer has shown promising results in the detection of dopamine depletion in Parkinson's disease at an early stage, facilitating early intervention. Studies are underway to explore its role in detecting  epilepsy, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, essential tremor, and more. In hospital intensive care units, Neurosteer is being evaluated for assessing comatose patients, gauging their level of consciousness, depth of sedation, seizure activity, and other vital factors.

Regarding Alzheimer's disease, Dr. Intrator emphasized that Neurosteer has shown connectivity changes in the pre-symptomatic presence of amyloid accumulation. Early detection is crucial as it enables intervention that can delay or prevent cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. In the absence of pharmaceutical solutions for memory disorders like Alzheimer's, identifying the condition early empowers patients to take control of their lifestyle choices, and adopt habits that promote a healthy brain. Armed with this information, lives can be transformed if patients possess the motivation and discipline to embrace these choices.

Source: YOUTUBE (TEDx Talks Channel) Tune Your Brain with Wearables, Not Drugs | Nathan Intrator | TEDxWhiteCity: Can we monitor the brain just like we monitor other organs, using a portable and easy to use device? Nathan Intrator, a brain researcher and computer scientist, is currently developing one such monitor that can provide detailed information about cognitive and emotional brain activity. It can be used to improve health and wellness and for a variety of  lifestyle applications. Nathan Intrator is the neuroscience startup leader of a revolutionary cloud-based platform that uses advanced brain signal processing and big data analytics to manage brain health and human wellness. An international scholar in neural computation, he delves into the undiscovered grey area of our brain.  His latest startup, Neurosteer, uses advanced brain signal processing and big data analytics to perform continuous, mobile monitoring and management of brain health. Neurosteer's mission is to become the standard method for ubiquitous brain activity interpretation and neuro-feedback. Real-time, detailed brain state analysis will be seamlessly integrated into a wide range of medical, neuro-marketing, lifestyle and gaming applications. In his belief communication technologies that didn’t exist 5 years ago can be leveraged to improve brain function in novel and fun ways, as well as improve the life style of individuals with brain disabilities.  This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx

Moreover, Neurosteer also offers support for those seeking to enhance their brain health and overall wellness, whether they currently experience cognitive decline, exhibit clinical biomarkers, or exist in a preclinical stage with early cognitive symptoms. The hope is that by identifying pathology before symptoms arise, more individuals will be motivated to take charge of their lives, prioritize brain health, and nurture their overall well-being.

Additionally, Neurosteer possesses therapeutic capabilities through neurofeedback, for example, by detecting elevated resting brain activity levels in seniors predisposed to cognitive decline before noticeable symptoms manifest. Through neurofeedback training, individuals can learn to lower their resting brain activity levels. This is studied in monks from the Dalai Lama's community, demonstrating the efficacy of this approach, wherein neurofeedback facilitates a meditative state that has reparative effects on the brain.

Dr. Intrator's groundbreaking vision of an affordable wearable device, to provide diagnostic assessment and therapeutic modalities for neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and other forms of dementia, is on the verge of becoming a remarkable reality. With Neurosteer leading the charge, we find ourselves at the threshold of a transformative era, where individuals will have the power to reclaim control over their cognitive well-being, offering them the gift of brain health.

AUTHOR:

MARILYN ABRAHAMSON, MA, CCC-SLP : As a Brain Health Education Specialist at Ceresti Health, Marilyn offers initiatives that supports education and empowerment of family caregivers. She also writes for and edits the Ceresti’s monthly newsletter and produces all brain health education and brain-health coaching programs for caregivers.  Marilyn's prior work is as a NJ Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist since 1987 and is an Amen Clinics Certified Brain Health Coach. She is also the cofounder of BrainThrive Consulting, and creator of the Long Live Your Brain program. www.longliveyourbrain.com

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COGNITION TESTING & CONCUSSION METRICS THROUGH OPTICSCAN

INTRODUCTION
A new research study is underway at the Bard Diagnostic Imaging Center in NYC. Dr. Robert Bard and a local research team combines the latest biometric scanning advantages of transcranial DOPPLER imaging,  hemodynamic ULTRASOUND scanning (of the retinal, basilary and temporal arteries) and the integration of BIOFEEDBACK technology for a special research study. This neuro-scan review establishes (1) a cross-comparative study  between the technologies and (2) a multi-modality screening & monitoring protocol to record post-concussion and neurodegenerative disorders.

One of several major foci for this project is to explore the development of a diagnostic paradigm in the detection of post concussion symptoms including the growing reports of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy/CTE, identified from head concussions in military service and high impact sports.  Since 2018, Dr. Bard has been collaborating with neurologists and pain management specialists to assess the rampant growth of this progressive brain condition.  

STUDY 1: INTRACRANIAL PRESSURE

Case studies with a presumptive degenerative neuromuscular disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are now being examined through a non-invasive investigation of the eye.   We can observe increased intracranial pressure, which may reflect in changes in the optic nerve diameter.  

[Fig. 1]  Scan of the eye (L) with a Doppler ultrasound probe shows the optic nerve diameter of five millimeters compared to the usually symmetric right almost eight millimeters. This suggests increased intracranial pressure or optic nerve tumor indicating a blood flow measure of the right anterior cerebral artery circulation that supplies the retina (approximately 60cm/s) blood flow.  [Fig. 2] The left vessel shows a decreased pressure of approximately 45cm/s as shown by the decreased height of the blood flow graph at the bottom. These quantitative diagnostic technologies are non-invasive allowing close clinical follow-up treatment in diseases affecting the eye related to brain trauma or degenerative neuromuscular disorders.

STUDY 2: POST-CONCUSSIVE / RETINAL ARTERIOVENOUS IMAGING

Concussion literature notes a funduscopic exam of the retinal arterial-venous width showing ASYMMETRY is indicative of possible trauma. This is a potential response of the autonomic nervous systems microcirculatory hemodynamics that are optically useful in validating the treatment progress. [L Image] Normal retinal artery vein width ratio is 1 to 2.  [R image] artery 0.9 mm (red)  vein 2.3mm (blue)  signifying possible increased intracranial pressure. Hemodynamic Doppler study of abnormal retinal vessels allows real time evaluation of the cerebral circulation measuring the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) with physiologic flow parameters.   

STUDY 3: WHIPLASH

Hemodynamic changes from whiplash may injure the vessels supplying the brain.  [Image L] High resolution scan of traumatized carotid artery showing turbulent flow (dark blue) and normal outer wall (red) ruling out arterial wall rupture.  [Image R] blood flow in the vertebral artery shows less flow disturbance (scattered blue) and no evidence of thrombosis which is a common cause of posttraumatic symptoms including speech and gait abnormalities

Now that more radiologists are using Doppler blood flow to examine eye disease, including systemic diseases (including diabetes, brain tumors, heart disease, sickle cell disease, etc.) that affect the eye, we are hopeful that the ophthalmologic and neurological communities will start using this noninvasive technology as well to improve noninvasive and more rapid treatment of potential eye disorders, such as cancers of the eye, diabetes and glaucoma.  Another future use will be to correlate the effect of decreased vascular pulsation in the production of cerebrospinal fluid that is removed by the cleansing glymphatic system is postulated as a contributing factor in degenerative neuromuscular disease.    

 

See complete feature @ Non-Invasive Diagnostic Science news.

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RECOGNIZING BRAIN HEALTH & ADDICTION

By: Dr. Leslie Valle-Montoya

It is well documented that tobacco increases the risk of different cancers such as lung, liver, and colorectal.  According to the National Health Interview Survey data from 2020, 47.1 million adults in the United States reported currently using tobacco products with 79.6 % of those being cigarette smokers [1].  If cigarette smoking continues to be one of the leading causes of preventable disease and deaths, why is cessation not easier to attain?  First, we must recognize the science behind nicotine addiction and its withdrawal effects.  Addiction is recognized to be a brain disease. Overcoming an addiction, whether it’s prescription pain pills, sugar, alcohol, nicotine or anything else, cessation is harder to exercise when the “pathways” or pleasure circuits of the brain have chronically been overstimulated.   (See complete article)

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RELATED STORIES:

"GETTING MY LIFE BACK FROM CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME"  2/15/2022- Mrs. Suzanne Wheeler of Minneapolis, Minnesota is celebrated as IPHA NEWS' Researcher of the Month.  After years of suffering a life-altering disorder that currently continues to challenge the scientific community of its root causes, Mrs. Wheeler explored “outside the conventional box” of opioid prescriptions, uncovering alternative solutions that got her back on her feet and joining life again.  Invoking CHANGE against all odds by diligently searching for what’s beyond the convenient takes courage and conviction.  It is this level of academic strength and strategic leadership that comprises the Alternative Health and Wellness community. (see full feature on Mrs. Wheeler's PEMF review)

10/25/2022- HEALING, STRESS AND THE PARASYMPATHETIC SYSTEM:  Analyzing STRESS & ANXIETY from a holistic point of view means identifying the body’s interconnected systems (ie. circulatory, cardiovascular, nervous, lymphatic, endocrine etc.) and its many touch points for stimulation.   This analysis should also offer a comprehensive breakdown of the body's HEALING capacity- which includes our hormones, digestive system, immune system, brain, heart-- all the way down to our cells and mitochondria.   Stress is part of life, and comes in many forms including physical, emotional, mental and environmental. Foods we eat, unhealthy relationships, difficulties at work, toxins in our environment, even poor posture or lack of sunshine can all create stress on our bodies. (See complete report by: Dr. Roberta Kline)

HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT SPECIALIST FOR YOU: Whether you're searching for a primary care physician or a cosmetic specialist, shopping for any doctor can be quite a challenge. Ingredients for finding a professional that you can trust with your life rely heaviest on their reputation, expertise and qualifications found under smart research methods. REFERRALS: As medical professionals are now heavily participating in commercial marketing platforms (such as broadcast and podcast commercials, youtube videos, social media promotion and public relations campaigns), the most favored influencer about any practitioner is still word of mouth. At least starting with a recommendation from a friend, colleague or family member, getting positive feedback about a practitioner through others' experience is a great place to begin. (see complete report)

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