Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, affecting over 60% of those diagnosed. Whilst dementia is currently diagnosed in 800,000 people, numbers are expected to rise to 1.7 billion by 2050, making an effective treatment vital in improving quality of life in those diagnosed.

YBrain has developed a wearable device to slow the effects of the disease, with a success rate believed to be better than any other current solution. The device is a wearable headband which uses two built-in sensors to stimulate brain regions using electrical signals similar to the output of a smartphone.

Used for 30 minutes per day, five days per week in the individual’s home, the technology has overcome a problem with similar treatment which requires hospital visits. Although the main purpose of the device is to reduce symptoms in those already diagnosed, it may also be used in those who have been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment to prevent the development of dementia.

YBrain will commence clinical trials in July and aims to launch the product in 2015. If clinical trials prove this device to be better than anything else currently on the market, it could have a profound impact on improving quality of life in those diagnosed.

Although YBrain have developed a solution to reduce symptoms in those diagnosed with types of dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease, there is a clear opportunity for the development of wearable tech to improve other long term conditions too. As the number of people diagnosed with long term conditions is growing worldwide every year, the development of further technologies could have a great impact on improving quality of life and the prognosis of those diagnosed.

Adie Blanchard – Researcher

Source

http://betech.asia/2014/06/23/a-team-of-korean-neuroscientists-and-engineers-develops-wearable-tech-to-combat-effects-of-alzheimers/