Research Project Receives the National Innovation Award

The team received the National Innovation Award for its project, Precision Neuromodulation and Digital Therapeutics Based on Real-Time Brain Activity.

Psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression, as well as neurological conditions such as stroke and dementia, are among the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Current pharmacological treatments may cause side effects or dependence, and their effectiveness may be limited by individual differences. Treatments and rehabilitation programs that require outpatient visits are also difficult to continue at home, leaving both healthcare professionals and patients unable to assess the accuracy and effectiveness of exercises performed outside clinical settings.

To address these challenges, our team developed NeuraStim, a precision neuromodulation and digital therapeutics platform based on real-time brain activity. NeuraStim integrates three core technologies: high-definition transcranial electrical stimulation (HD-tES), functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), and digital therapeutics. Based on each patient's real-time brain activity, the platform provides precise, personalized neuromodulation targeting specific brain regions, combines it with digital cognitive behavioral training, and records treatment progress and changes in brain activity for outcome monitoring. Our long-term goals are to complete clinical trials; establish a startup company with ISO 13485 quality management system certification; partner with a GMP-compliant contract manufacturer; apply for registration of a Class III medical device with Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare; and seek clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Through clinical trials, we aim to build awareness among end users, gain support based on clinical efficacy and endorsements from clinical key opinion leaders, continue raising capital for mass production, and bring NeuraStim to domestic and international markets.

Reviewers' Recommendations

1. By using patients' real-time brain activity, this project can provide precise and personalized neuromodulation stimulation alongside digital cognitive behavioral training. It can also record treatment progress and track outcomes through changes in brain activity, demonstrating strong development potential.
2. The system innovatively integrates three important neuromodulation approaches: high-definition transcranial electrical stimulation (HD-tES), functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), and digital therapeutics.
3. The team has optimized the relevant measurement and stimulation technologies to develop a portable, user-friendly home device that enables individuals to perform self-administered treatment and training under professional guidance. The related technologies have received patents in Taiwan and the European Union.