Neurovation Labs, a preclinical stage biotechnology company focused on precision neuroscience, announced on April 22, 2025, that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued U.S. Patent No. 12,274,761 for its innovative technology to detect brain biomarkers associated with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
The newly patented technology, entitled "Compositions and Methods to Detect GluA1 in Brain and to Identify the Presence of GluA1-Mediated PTSD," centers on a radiological imaging device designed to measure levels of glutamatergic AMPA receptors containing GluA1 in the brain. This represents a significant advancement in PTSD diagnostics, moving from subjective symptom assessment to objective physiological measurement.
Dr. Jennifer Perusini, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Neurovation Labs, emphasized the transformative potential of this approach: "Machine learning, AI, and digital technologies have the power to transform healthcare—not only by accelerating diagnostic and treatment development but by enabling a new generation of tools at the point of care. The key is grounding these innovations in the biological realities of each condition."
Bridging the Gap Between Neurobiology and Mental Health
PTSD affects approximately 6% of the U.S. population, with higher prevalence among military veterans and survivors of severe trauma. Current diagnostic methods rely heavily on clinical interviews and self-reported symptoms, lacking objective biological measurements that could improve diagnosis accuracy and treatment monitoring.
Neurovation Labs' technology targets a specific biological mechanism associated with PTSD—elevated GluA1-containing AMPA receptors in the amygdala, a brain region central to fear processing and emotional regulation. This approach aligns with growing evidence suggesting PTSD involves measurable neurobiological changes rather than being purely psychological in nature.
"Our mission is to make the invisible visible: to measure, understand, and ultimately heal the hidden wounds of psychological conditions," Dr. Perusini stated, highlighting the company's commitment to redefining mental health through biological understanding.
Expanding Applications Beyond PTSD
This patent marks the third issuance in Neurovation Labs' intellectual property portfolio and is owned solely by the company. While initially focused on PTSD, the firm is actively exploring applications of this technology for other neurological conditions, including:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Micro-TBI
- Alzheimer's disease
- Epilepsy
These conditions share certain neurobiological mechanisms with PTSD, particularly involving glutamate signaling disruptions, suggesting potential diagnostic crossover.
Comprehensive Approach to Treatment
Beyond diagnostics, Neurovation Labs is developing therapeutic interventions targeting the same biological mechanisms. Their lead asset is a small molecule Negative Allosteric Modulator (NAM) that specifically targets amygdala AMPA receptors implicated in PTSD.
This dual diagnostic-therapeutic approach represents an integrated strategy that could significantly improve both the identification and treatment of PTSD. By targeting specific neurobiological mechanisms, treatments may achieve greater efficacy with fewer side effects compared to current options, which often include SSRIs and other medications originally developed for depression.
Market and Development Outlook
Currently in the preclinical stage, Neurovation Labs faces the typical challenges of biotechnology development, including securing regulatory approvals and demonstrating clinical efficacy. However, the company's focus on objective biomarkers addresses a significant unmet need in psychiatric medicine.
The global PTSD therapeutics market is projected to grow substantially in coming years, driven by increasing awareness, rising diagnosis rates, and the limitations of current treatment options. Neurovation Labs' approach could potentially capture significant market share by offering both improved diagnostics and targeted treatments.
As mental health continues to gain recognition as a critical healthcare priority, technologies that provide objective measurements and targeted interventions represent a promising frontier in addressing conditions that have historically been difficult to diagnose and treat effectively.
