Meet ‘NeuraLight’: An Israel-based AI Startup That Tracks Neurological Disorders With an Ordinary Webcam With The Help of Machine Learning

The process of diagnosing and tracking the evolution of neurological illnesses such as Alzheimer’s disease is typically lengthy and imprecise, involving surveys, hospital visits, and in-person observations that professionals must interpret on the spot. Because neurological problems are so complicated and often slow to develop, it is challenging for a single technique to catch something like Alzheimer’s at an early stage due to a lack of standardization. In fact, it is anticipated that misdiagnosis is expected in the area, not owing to a lack of rigor on the part of caregivers but due to the high degree of unpredictability in the process.

This data confidence dilemma requires an objective metric to be addressed, which NeuraLight, based in Austin and Tel Aviv, is claiming to develop. NeuraLight uses contemporary image analysis techniques to “extract these, let’s call them sub-pixel or sub-millimeter signals, things that aren’t in one frame” from a standard off-the-shelf webcam or a smartphone. NeuraLight claims to have developed a method that relies solely on a webcam and might have a significant impact on how these illnesses are handled.

NeuraLight is claiming to revolutionize neurology, from early detection to medication discovery, and is assisting billions of people worldwide who are affected by neurological illnesses. NeuraLight is using Oculometric data to track the course of neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, MS, and ALS. Their patented computer vision and deep learning algorithms extract all necessary oculometric signals from facial footage shot with a typical webcam or smartphone. Therefore, they can be utilized as a valid proxy for currently employed clinical endpoints, providing an accurate picture of a person’s neurological condition. As a result, pharmaceutical companies could be able to implement smart phenotyping, reduce misdiagnosis, accelerate and improve medication research, monitoring, and precision care, and more accurately and sensitively evaluate illness progression, hence increasing their chances of success.

The significant challenges that the Startup claims to provide a viable solution for are: 

  1. Alzheimer’s Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment 
  2. Parkinson’s Disease 

Using oculometric data acquired with a typical webcam or smartphone, the Computer Vision and Deep Learning algorithms enable remote measurement and monitoring of neurological conditions, according to the company. The Startup raised $25 million in Series A funding, raising the total capital to about $30.5 million. The funds would be used primarily to expand its workforce and get the approach into the hands of doctors. It also intends to use the new funds to improve the design of neurological clinical trials, boost the chances of novel neurological treatments succeeding, and usher in a new era of precision medicine in neurology. 

References:

  • https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/neuralight-3df0
  • https://neuralight.ai/technology/
  • https://www.geektime.com/neuralight-secures-25-million-series-a/
  • https://techcrunch.com/2022/05/24/neuralight-aims-to-track-als-parkinsons-and-more-with-an-ordinary-webcam/
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