SBIR Phase I: Improved memory during sleep at home with a wearable EEG device for tailored stimulation of slow oscillations

这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第一阶段项目改善了老年人的记忆力。记忆力丧失是人口老龄化的一个主要问题。价值290亿美元的全球记忆增强市场包括补充剂、训练软件和药物，尽管有效性的证据有限。该项目将创建一个用户友好的睡眠头带与音频刺激，以提高记忆力。该解决方案将创造一个新的非侵入性医疗设备类别，使临床、家庭和专业环境中的人们受益。这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第一阶段项目展示了无线脑电(EEG)头带的可行性，该头带可以在家里进行慢波睡眠活动时增强记忆巩固。先前已经证明，在慢波睡眠活动中使用多导睡眠图设备进行音频刺激，可以通过促进记忆巩固来增强记忆保持。设想的头带可以获取高质量的脑电数据，以感知慢波脑波活动，并提供同步音频刺激。预计的项目成果是：a)为舒适和可用性而设计的无线睡眠头带，b)睡眠中增强的慢波大脑活动的演示，以及c)通过标准临床评估衡量的有意义的记忆保持改善的证据。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project improves memory for the elderly. Memory loss is a major concern of an aging population. The $29 B global memory enhancement market comprises supplements, training software, and drugs, although evidence of efficacy is limited. This project will create a user-friendly sleep headband with audio stimulation to improve memory. The solution will create a new category of non-invasive medical devices to benefit people in clinical, home, and professional settings. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project demonstrates the feasibility of a wireless electroencephalogram (EEG) headband that increases memory consolidation during slow-wave sleep activity at home. Audio stimulation during slow-wave sleep activity using polysomnogram equipment has been previously demonstrated to enhance memory retention by facilitating memory consolidation. The envisioned headband acquires high quality EEG data to sense slow-wave brain wave activity and provide synchronous audio stimulation. The anticipated project outcomes are: a) a wireless sleep headband designed for comfort and usability, b) demonstration of enhanced slow-wave brain activity during sleep, and c) evidence of meaningful improvements to memory retention measured by standard clinical assessments.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.