“An fNIRS platform for precision mental health”

Speakers: Ali Rahimpour Jounghani, Postdoctoral Scholar, Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Stanford University

Abstract: Mental illnesses are a major public health concern, with one in three individuals developing a mental illness in their lifetime. Despite the prevalence and high cost of mental illness, modern clinical psychiatry practice still relies on structured interviews and patient reports, and functional neuroimaging has yet to make its way into mental health clinics. Our new functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) based platform aims to address the gaps in utilizing functional neuroimaging in psychiatric clinics. Thsi new platform integrates a consumer-grade, wearable, wireless fNIRS system with an integrated tablet application for patients and a HIPAA-compliant cloud solution for clinicians to remotely manage patient data. This platform provides a scalable solution for monitoring brain response in patients with neuropsychiatric conditions and can pave the way for clinical utilization of fNIRS for precision psychiatry.

“Early stroke detection and treatment: The missing puzzle piece”

Speakers: Orestis Vardoulis, CEO & Co-Founder, Zeit Medical 

Abstract: Stroke is one of the primary causes of death and long-term disability in the United States and worldwide. Despite revolutionary advances in stroke treatment, approximately 90% of stroke victims are left untreated due to lengthy delays prior to arriving at the hospital. Mortality rate is close to 25% for larger strokes, while the overall cost of stroke in the US is expected to surpass $100 billion. These poor outcomes are primarily driven by delays prior to placing the 9-1-1 call. Nighttime strokes, lack of recognition, and inability to communicate or move, all contribute to these pre-9-1-1 delays. However, most stroke victims, either demonstrate warning signs (e.g., transient ischemic attacks -TIA) or suffer from a condition predisposing them to a stroke, such as intracranial atherosclerosis or atrial fibrillation. To address this clinical need, Zeit is developing a solution that combines wearable health sensors with AI to provides peace of mind for those affected by stroke. It continuously monitors the patient and in the case of a stroke event, it notifies the patient, pre specified caregivers and 911.