Research Project with Tel Aviv
University to Focus on Optimizing Identification of
Early-Stage Dementia and Improving Diagnosis and Treatment for
Neurological Conditions
HERZLIYA, Israel, July 2, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Corundum Neuroscience, the neuroscience venture
builder and fund, today announced it has awarded its first research
grant. The project, led by Professor Yuval
Nir at the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences,
Tel Aviv University, will investigate a
machine learning-based approach for non-invasive detection of
abnormal activity in deep brain regions during
sleep.
The project aims to develop and validate a capability to
identify abnormal brain activity associated with dementia during
sleep. While the presence of paroxysmal discharges (PDs) has long
been associated with brain disorders, ranging from epilepsy to
traumatic brain injury and neuropsychiatric conditions, this type
of abnormal brain activity often occurs in deep brain regions and
in such cases it has been difficult to measure objectively without
requiring invasive measurement tools.
Prof. Nir's team has developed a novel approach using machine
learning to classify subtle signals detected with high-density
electroencephalography (hd-EEG) and is initially applying the
method to sleep data collected from elderly individuals with
cognitive impairment and dementia. Moving forward, the team aims to
optimize these methods for use as disease-specific biomarkers for a
range of neurodegenerative conditions.
"There is currently no objective tool available with the
necessary sensitivity to non-invasively detect and quantify the
brain activity signatures we are investigating," said Prof. Nir,
Principal Investigator for the Department of Physiology and
Pharmacology at the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences,
Tel Aviv University. "Our aim is to
combine research on brain activity during sleep with machine
learning, laying the groundwork for the measurement of abnormal
brain states in dementia during sleep and, ultimately, to validate
biomarkers for a wide range of neurological disorders."
The project's goals include optimizing and testing detection
tools on hd-EEG sleep data of early and late dementia versus
healthy aged individuals, in addition to investigating the extent
to which sleep PDs can be identified in different stages of
neurodegeneration. In the short term, it may help identify
individuals with early-stage dementia who could benefit from
anti-epileptic treatments. In the long term, the research opens
avenues to improve diagnosis, prognosis, drug titration, and
risk-stratification in epilepsy, dementia, and a wide range of
neurological and psychiatric conditions.
"We are at a unique time in neuroscience, in which our
understanding of the brain from a cellular to a systems level is
both contributing to and benefitting from the revolution in AI,"
said Josh Schulman, PhD, Chief
Scientist for Corundum Neuroscience. "This project represents that
synthesis and is part of Corundum's long-term strategy to support
research that serves as the basis for innovative approaches to
brain health."
Ramot, Tel-Aviv University's
technology transfer company, is responsible for commercializing the
university's intellectual property. It is supporting this
initiative as part of its commitment to translating cutting-edge
research into impactful technologies.
"We believe this pioneering research has the potential to
revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of neurological
disorders," said Dr. Ronen Kreizman,
CEO of Ramot. "This collaboration is part of Ramot's mission to
bridge academia and industry, fostering innovations that address
critical healthcare challenges."
About Corundum Neuroscience
Corundum Neuroscience is a venture builder and fund advancing
transformative neuroscience solutions from lab-to-life. The
Corundum Neuroscience team combines deep domain expertise with a
track-record of venture-building success to accelerate neuroscience
solutions across the entire innovation lifecycle. Taking a
long-term investment approach, Corundum Neuroscience helps
researchers, entrepreneurs and startups develop life-changing
solutions that target specific disease areas and outcomes to
enhance people's health, longevity and quality of life. Founded by
former Joy Ventures executives, Corundum Neuroscience launched in
September 2023, and is headquartered
in Herzliya, Israel.
For company updates and information, follow Corundum
Neuroscience on LinkedIn or visit: https://cnsfund.com
About Ramot
Ramot is the technology transfer company of Tel Aviv University, facilitating partnerships and
commercialization of the university's research innovations. By
bridging academic discoveries with industry expertise, Ramot drives
the development of groundbreaking technologies that address global
challenges. https://ramot.org/
Media Contact
Danny Sudwarts
FINN Partners for Corundum Neuroscience
danny.sudwarts@finnpartners.com
(+1) 469-297-2515
View original
content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/corundum-neuroscience-awards-research-grant-to-explore-machine-learning-for-non-invasive-detection-of-dementia-associated-brain-activity-during-sleep-302187896.html
SOURCE Corundum Neuroscience