Neurode: The Wearable ADHD Management Device Without Invasive Procedures
Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2024/09/26
Publication Type: Product Release, Update
Category Topic: Assistive Technology - Academic Publications
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main
Synopsis: Neurode's innovative ADHD management device is significant because it offers a non-invasive, medication-free alternative for treating ADHD symptoms. The headband uses light electrical stimulation to target the prefrontal cortex, potentially improving focus, memory, and impulse control in just 20 minutes of daily use. Unlike traditional medications, which can have side effects and may not work for everyone, Neurode's approach addresses both neurological and behavioral aspects of ADHD. Additionally, the device's ability to measure and track brain activity provides objective data on symptom improvement, addressing a longstanding challenge in ADHD treatment. This personalized, data-driven approach to ADHD management could revolutionize treatment options for millions of people worldwide who struggle with the disorder - Disabled World (DW).
Introduction
An innovative start-up is out to change how attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is managed, bypassing the traditional route of medication to instead use non-invasive light electrical brain stimulation delivered by a headband worn for just 20 minutes a day.
Main Content
Neurode, an Australian company founded by Nathalie Gouailhardou - a neuroscientist who was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of five - and engineer Damian Sofrevski, has raised AUD 5.3 million (US$3.7 million) to get its device to market, and have a wait list of thousands wanting to test the product in its development stage.
For more than 366 million people worldwide living with ADHD (and these 2020 statistics are now considered an underestimate), treatment is still largely trial and error, with many trialing different medications before hopefully finding one - and the right dosage - that helps. Then there's the added difficulty of restricted access to medication, with the most popular treatments - short-acting stimulants such as dexamphetamine and methylphenidate (Ritalin) and slow-release stimulants like lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) - being controlled substances, which have varying degrees of red tape attached to access depending on where you live. In some countries, such as Japan, dexamphetamine is banned.
More adults are getting diagnosed with ADHD than ever before. This is because our understanding of ADHD has evolved - many younger girls were overlooked in school years because they present with more inattentive symptoms rather than the hyperactive subtype, so we are seeing lots of women in their later 20s and 30s get diagnosed with ADHD,
Neurode's goal is to make treating ADHD and self-management of its many complex and varying symptoms much easier - since there is no cure - by way of light electrical stimulation delivered to the prefrontal cortex (PFC), the region of the brain that controls executive function and focus. Users so far have reported feeling either nothing while wearing the headband, or a slight tingling.
According to Neurode, traditional ADHD medications such as Ritalin and Adderall aren't helpful for all of the 366 million people globally who are impacted by ADHD. While therapy and lifestyle adjustments can be beneficial, many find it difficult to adhere to those routines.
Neurode's headband uses light electrical stimulation targeting the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for focus and executive function. This mild stimulation helps balance brain activity, with some users reporting a slight tingling sensation, while others feel nothing at all.
Worn for 20 minutes a day, the creators say the brain stimulation helps manage focus, memory and impulse control - key components of executive function that makes daily life for those with ADHD such a challenge. Neurode also connects to a brain-monitoring app, that feeds back real-time data through a smartphone app. It measures brain activity and tracks PFC changes over time, which in turn should reflect in how executive function-related symptoms improve.
"Our breakthrough is taking a large, expensive brain-imaging device, reducing the cost by 100x, and making it portable for everyday use-without sacrificing data quality. We combine this with a non-invasive way to balance brain activity in order to improve focus, memory and impulsivity without side effects. That's what makes Neurode different," Gouailhardou said. "We raised $5.3 million to refine our product, complete a clinical trial, and now launch our private beta where people can try the headband and give feedback," Gouailhardou said.
People can sign up for the beta on Neurode's website.
Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.