The Potomac Institute’s Center for Neurotechnology Studies (CNS) engaged in a year-long effort researching current technology trends and scientific advancements in the field of neuroscience – focusing specifically on how these trends and advancements are building towards more individualized medicine. A comprehensive literature review and market trend analyses were conducted to identify technologies on the forefront of this revolution in medicine. Several months of research and analysis culminated in a CNS seminar highlighting the initial research findings, including discussions of how neuroscience utilizes Big Health Data to improve treatments for neurorelated complications as well as what is needed to truly understand the mind. 

The seminar featured a panel of three distinguished speakers, including: Dr. Stacy Suskauer, Co-director of the Center for Brain Injury Recovery at the Kennedy Krieger Institute and Associate Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine; Dr. Mahesh Shenai, a neurosurgeon and Director of Functional and Restorative Neurosurgery at the Inova Neuroscience and Spine Institute; and Dr. Jessica Eisner, a Senior Fellow at the Potomac Institute and former Senior Medical Officer and Clinical Consultant at the FDA.

Following the panel presentations, a consensus emerged that there is a need for the use of Big Health Data in two different contexts: 1) using Big Health Data to create better physical, as opposed to statistical, models of human health in order to improve our fundamental understanding of human biology, and 2) using Big Health Data to improve the quality of medical practice for the individual, leading to better, more predictive patient outcomes. Additionally, an insightful discussion took place regarding the creation of new incentive structures that promote the kinds of high-risk, high-reward research endeavors needed to capitalize on the potential of personalized medicine.

This most recent effort by the CNS continues its long-standing mission to follow and understand the latest neuroscientific advancements and neurotechologies.

Please find the full report here.