The FDA has cleared Turing Medical’s Bullsai Identify, an AI-powered brain mapping technology designed to personalize deep brain stimulation (DBS) and other neuromodulation therapies for neurological conditions, including Parkinson's disease. The platform uses artificial intelligence algorithms to analyze advanced imaging data, creating detailed maps of individual brains to optimize treatment targets.
Personalized Brain Mapping for Neuromodulation
Bullsai Identify aims to overcome the limitations of generalized brain maps, which can lead to mistargeted therapy, side effects, and reduced efficacy. By analyzing MRI data, including anatomical and brain region connectivity information, the platform creates a specific map of each person’s brain. This enables doctors to plan precise neuromodulation strategies tailored to individual needs.
"Bullsai Identify’s personalized approach to brain mapping takes into account each patient’s unique brain structure and connectivity, offering the potential for better-targeted, more effective treatments," said Leo Sugrue, MD, PhD, a medical adviser at Turing and an associate professor at the University of California San Francisco. "This can lead to more accurate therapies, fewer side effects, and ultimately, better clinical outcomes."
Addressing the Challenges of Neuromodulation
Neuromodulation therapies, such as DBS and focused ultrasound, modulate brain activity to treat conditions like Parkinson’s disease. DBS, for example, involves sending electrical impulses to specific brain regions via an implanted device. While effective, these approaches often rely on general brain anatomy, which can vary significantly between individuals.
Parkinson’s disease, characterized by the loss of dopamine-producing nerve cells, affects motor and nonmotor functions. DBS is often used when standard dopamine-replacing medications become less effective. Bullsai Identify helps refine these therapies by providing detailed brain maps, potentially improving outcomes and reducing side effects.
Turing Medical's Bullsai Program
Turing Medical has other technologies in its Bullsai program designed to improve the efficiency and accuracy of neuromodulation therapies. These include the FDA-approved Bullsai Enhance (formerly FIRMM), a brain MRI software that offers real-time data on patient motion to improve MRI quality. Bullsai Confirm, currently in development, uses AI to ensure accurate placement of electrodes into the brain for neuromodulation therapy, visualizing electrode contact with brain structures and predicting tissue activation to optimize clinical outcomes.
