Southampton researchers are trialling new headsets for people with dementia to use at home.
There are more than 850,000 people in the UK who have dementia. This number is increasing, and it is estimated that it will reach one million by 2025.
The Cumulus Neuroscience CNS-101 study is investigating whether wearable technology can be used to measure brain function in people with dementia.
If successful, the technology could enable doctors to track responses to new treatments in the familiarity of patients’ own homes.
The study is running at several sites across the UK including Southampton. It is run locally by the Neurodegenerative Research Team at University Hospital Southampton (UHS), supported by the NIHR Southampton Clinical Research Facility (CRF).
Dementia research
Overall, 120 adults aged between 50 and 90 years are taking part in the year-long study by using the new technology at home.
Half have received a diagnosis of dementia. The other half do not have the condition.
Cumulus Neuroscience has developed a first-in-class dry-sensor electroencephalogram (EEG) headset. This is designed to get clinical-grade brain activity data.
The headset connects with a tablet for use in-clinic or at-home. This increases ease-of-use for patients, caregivers and clinical teams.
The technology can remotely monitor patients across many areas of brain function. Researchers conducting clinical trials can then sample a range of measurements including cognition, mood, memory, and language.
A separate headband is worn overnight to record brain activity during sleep.
Prof Chris Kipps, Consultant Neurologist and Clinical Director of Research & Development at UHS, is leading the trial in Southampton. He said:
“About one third of us will receive a diagnosis of dementia in our lifetime.
“This is why it is so important that we develop treatments to treat dementia and delay its progression. To be successful, it is vital that we have sensitive ways of detecting whether new treatments work so that we focus our efforts.
“This trial seeks to learn if tracking small changes in brain activity can predict changes in memory and other thinking abilities. This knowledge will help us design better research trials in dementia and test new treatments faster.”
Measuring brain activity
Participants are visiting the CRF at Southampton General Hospital to complete standard brain function assessments.
This will help researchers understand how data collected through wearable technology compares against the standard assessments.
Researchers hope the new approach will enable more frequent and accurate measurement in a familiar, comfortable setting.
Shalaina Jannoo, Senior Clinical Trials Assistant at UHS, said:
“The team at Southampton are delighted to be involved in trialling innovative technology that could potentially shape the future of clinical trials. We would like to thank our volunteers for their contribution so far.
“This research could help reduce demands on patients, and the time and costs associated with cognitive assessments when designing studies to test new therapies.”
We run a number of dementia research studies. If you would be interested in taking part, please call the Neurodegenerative Research Team on 02381 206 132 or email Neuro-DResearchTeam@uhs.nhs.uk for more information.
The Cumulus study is sponsored by Cumulus Neuroscience Limited and supported by Innovate UK (grant number 93826), P1vital Ltd (CRO), University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
Image credit: Cumulus Neuroscience