Advanced Brain Monitoring Announces National Institute on Aging Grant to Use Brain Activity Biomarkers to Monitor and Optimize Human-Robot Interaction with the Goal of Preventing Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer's and Other Dementias

Advanced Brain Monitoring Inc. (ABM), a neuro-diagnostic device company specializing in the acquisition and analysis of brain activity (EEG) during wake and sleep, announced the award of a new grant from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) at the NIH to evaluate socially assistive robot (SAR) interventions to mitigate cognitive decline associated with aging and dementia.

This project addresses the growing unmet need for alternative approaches to mitigating cognitive decline by introducing a robot companion that will interact and motivate patients in order to reinforce therapeutic behavior. "We are excited about bringing our expertise in the development and application of early stage dementia biomarkers and knowledge of human-machine interfaces into this novel approach," said Chris Berka, ABM CEO and Principal Investigator for the project.

The SAR intervention project team will incorporate the expertise of Dr. Maja Mataric, USC Professor of Computer Science, Neuroscience, and Pediatrics, and Dr. Cory Kidd, CEO and founder of Catalia Health. The team will deploy Catalia Health’s “Mabu” robot to interact with participants in their homes to influence the development of healthy habits targeted at slowing the progression of cognitive decline in healthy elderly and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) patients.

This project builds on the progress of another ABM-led NIA grant that leverages EEG-biomarkers developed to map the trajectory of various dementias with characterization in the earliest detectable stages of the pathophysiological processes. “This project extends ABM’s technology platform intended for neurology and psychiatry and deployed in clinical trials worldwide to evaluate new treatments for neurodegeneration,” Berka commented, “We foresee the potential for the robot intervention to be used alone or in combination with other treatments for dementia.”

Advanced Brain Monitoring has been internationally recognized for its innovative technologies over the past 20 years. The company’s products are used by clinicians, researchers, and in clinical trials to interpret brain and physiological function as they relate to early stage neuro-degeneration and chronic diseases, and to improve sleep quality and enhance performance.

Dr. Mataric, PhD, AAAS, IEEE Fellow, of the USC Social Robotics Program, is a founder of the field of SAR and has, over the past 17 years, developed and evaluated SAR systems with AD patients, healthy elderly, and other populations across the age and health spectrum.

Dr. Cory Kidd, PhD, CEO and founder of Catalia Health, provides an effective and scalable patient engagement platform for individuals managing chronic disease or taking medications on an ongoing basis. The company’s AI-powered robot, Mabu, enables healthcare providers and pharmaceutical companies to better support patients living with chronic illness.

For information about ABM, products, and research or clinical trial partnering opportunities please visit: www.advancedbrainmonitoring.com or contact Chris Berka, CEO, at (760) 720-0099 ext. 6030.

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