Exeter-based Neuronostics have been awarded a £50,000 grant from Innovate UK to improve at-home management of epilepsy.
The project was one of just 800 selected from over 8,600 applications that will develop new technology and innovation to overcome some of the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The grant will support the initial development of a new smartphone app ConnectEP. The app will improve connectivity between people with epilepsy, researchers and clinicians and reduce the impact of stress, anxiety and isolation caused by the recent lockdown and its after-effects.
Awarded the 2020 Medilink-SW start-up of the year award, Neuronostics aims to revolutionise care for people with epilepsy. Its patented BioEP technology uses mathematics and artificial intelligence to reveal seizure risk from clinical recording of brain activity.
Co-founder of Neuronostics Professor John Terry said:
“We surveyed 150 people as part of the development for this app and found that people with epilepsy are experiencing increased levels of anxiety during this pandemic. Their appointments are being postponed and the resulting stress exacerbates the symptoms of epilepsy, impacting not only seizures, but other issues including memory and sleep.
“We are developing ConnectEP in partnership with people with epilepsy, ensuring it meets their needs, which are evolving rapidly as the current situation continues.”
Public Advocate for Epilepsy, Torie Robinson commented:
“I’m really chuffed to have helped enable so many people who need our app to have had their voices heard and valued at Neuronostics. Having epilepsy can be very isolating, anxiety-inducing and depressing on its own, but now with COVID-19 causing reduced access to certain services for some in addition; the lives of many affected are even more challenging. There’s a desperate need for the ConnectEP app and I can’t wait for our project to start.”
Picture caption: Poff John Terry, co-founder of Neuronostics
