A headset that can re-program the neural pathways in your brain may seem like something out of a science-fiction film.
However, for a group of South-East Queensland innovators, it is a goal within arm's reach.
They are pushing to develop a prototype headset that could be the answer to improving the quality of life for those living with a range of neurocognitive conditions.
A headset they have developed measures brain activity and combines neurofeedback with game software to reprogram neural pathways.
It is hoped the headset will help those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism or acquired brain injuries to concentrate better, particularly those for whom medication has not worked.
Inspiration close by
Brisbane-based neuroscience researcher Casey Pfluger teamed up with Sunshine Coast technology analyst Amy-Rose Goodey to form a bio-technology start-up, Cortex Brainwave Technologies, in 2017.
Mr Pfluger said it was his 11-year-old daughter, Ingrid, who inspired him to start work on the device after he could not find an effective treatment for her ADHD and autism.
He also suffers from ADHD himself and understood some of the difficulty she was experiencing.
"I wanted to find a way to help her with the frustrating aspects of her conditions, being concentration and planning, and difficulty with coordination and things like that," Mr Pfluger said.
How it is designed to work
The headset aims to allow an individual living with a neurocognitive condition to monitor their brain activity in real time and, when brain activity reaches an optimal level, the user is rewarded within the game.
Mr Pfluger said this encouraged them to self-regulate.
"So, we can teach the people using our technology to be able to control the way their brain works a bit more, kind of like the way you learn how to use a musical instrument, you learn by the feedback you get," he said.
"When you play the piano, you listen and you feel. You feel the notes on your hand, and you listen to the sound that you get. And that feedback is what we're going to do for brain activity."
What success may look like
Mr Pfluger said a real-life example of what success with the training might look like could be as simple as someone with ADHD having a less-stressful time making dinner, because they were no longer finding "where to start" such a hassle.
"I would never say that anyone did not trial all the medications they have … but I know there are people for [whom] medication just doesn't work," he said.
"For me, I need to take medication every four hours when I need to concentrate … being able to not have to do that or being able to have that higher level of concentration would be fantastic."
Exceeding expectations
Co-founder and analyst Amy-Rose Goodey said the headset's technology could be applied to other emerging devices as well.
"Our prototype is doing things that we didn't even design it to do. It's got capabilities outside what we initially thought it could do, so we are able to move faster now," Ms said.
"But what we found is that our sensor will be able to be applied in other medical devices that require sensors that may not be functioning at their optimum at the moment.
"We now know that if we master this sensor, we'll be able to help even more lives when it comes to medical technology."
Their start-up will compete this Saturday in the finals of the Bionics Challenge 2021 for a share in $300,000 to help fast-track the invention to market.
