Summary: BrainScope successfully completed the proof-of-concept phase for a novel EEG-based biomarker capable of predicting the onset of Alzheimer’s disease in its earliest stages.
Takeaways:
- BrainScope’s innovative EEG-based biomarker shows promise for detecting Alzheimer’s risk early in individuals with memory complaints, before significant neurodegeneration occurs.
- The biomarker could revolutionize Alzheimer’s diagnostics by offering a non-invasive, accessible, and affordable tool for early detection and monitoring.
- Early detection through this biomarker has the potential to improve therapeutic interventions, slow disease progression, and enhance patient outcomes in clinical trials and beyond.
BrainScope, a provider in brain diagnostics, announced the successful completion of the proof-of-concept phase for a novel brain activity-based biomarker for the prediction of onset of Alzheimer’s disease at its earliest stage in normal elderly individuals with memory complaints, the company says. This breakthrough was supported by an investment from the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF).
Developing the Alzheimer’s Biomarker
The study utilized EEG data from a multi-year longitudinal investigation involving elderly individuals who initially presented with only subjective memory complaints but had not yet been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia. Following the initial EEG assessment, participants were followed clinically for five to seven years for the evolution of cognitive decline. Using its proprietary EEG-based machine learning platform, BrainScope identified distinctive EEG profiles that differentiated those who showed no change, declined to MCI or converted to dementia, using only information gathered at their initial assessment. These findings have culminated in the development of an innovative biomarker with the potential to predict cognitive decline from the earliest signs of memory loss. The next phase will focus on validating this biomarker.
“One of the most significant challenges in treating Alzheimer’s patients is that by the time traditional diagnostic methods detect the disease, irreversible brain damage may have already occurred,” says Leslie S. Prichep, PhD, chief scientific officer at BrainScope. “Our EEG-based biomarkers show great potential for detecting neurodegenerative disease at the first signs of functional changes to the brain, long before such structural damage takes place. Early identification of those at risk for future decline opens up new possibilities for therapies that could slow or stop the progression of this devastating disease.”
A recent World Alzheimer Report 2024 by Alzheimer’s Disease International found that over 90% of the 40,000 people surveyed across 166 countries said they would pursue a diagnosis if effective treatments were available.
“BrainScope’s biomarker has the potential to serve as one of the frontline Alzheimer’s risk screening tools, helping predict patients at a higher risk most likely to later develop the disease,” says Howard Fillit, MD, co-founder and chief science officer of the ADDF. “This research underscores the importance of monitoring for the disease before major symptom onset and diagnosis. In the near future, we will have a screening tool like this that can measure early-stage changes before significant neurodegeneration occurs—bringing us one step closer to preventing Alzheimer’s.”
Laurie Silver, CEO of BrainScope, added, “We are incredibly excited about the potential of this biomarker to transform how Alzheimer’s is diagnosed and treated. Our goal is to make early diagnosis and monitoring a routine part of care, improving outcomes and offering hope to millions of families affected by this disease.”
Improving Alzheimer’s Diagnostics
BrainScope’s approach to Alzheimer’s diagnostics marks a substantial improvement over current tools. Its machine and deep learning-driven EEG biomarkers are non-invasive, radiation-free, fast, affordable, and accessible while being capable of detecting abnormalities even before symptoms emerge or brain damage becomes apparent. The potential applications of BrainScope’s technology extend far beyond early diagnosis — they could revolutionize the drug development process by improving clinical trial patient selection, reducing trial costs, and monitoring brain function during trials and post-market.
