Hemispheric, a startup that’s been quietly working on a way to translate brain activity into language, has just raised $52 million from investors, giving it a massive boost as it prepares to tackle the complex task of diagnosing mental health disorders like depression, PTSD, and Parkinson’s.
Their AI model combines data from a 15-minute non-invasive scan, which uses electroencephalography (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to capture brain activity, with machine learning algorithms to decode the neural signals.
This isn’t a new area of research, but Hemispheric’s approach has shown promise in early trials. The company claims its AI model can accurately identify brain activity patterns associated with these conditions, potentially paving the way for earlier diagnosis and more effective treatment.
The company’s technology might not replace traditional diagnosis methods, but it could provide an additional layer of insight, helping doctors understand the root causes of a patient’s symptoms. What this means for patients is the potential for more accurate diagnoses, which in turn could lead to more effective treatment plans.
It’s worth noting that this technology is not just focused on mental health disorders. It could also be used to diagnose conditions like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and other neurological disorders. The company’s long-term goal is to develop a non-invasive brain-computer interface that can decode neural signals in real-time, allowing people to communicate silently, and potentially even control devices with their minds.
The funding will help Hemispheric refine its technology, and scale up its research efforts. It’s a promising development in the field of AI-assisted diagnosis, and one that could potentially change the way we think about mental health treatment.
