Community-Based Real-World Neurotech Experience (CORTEX)

Helping people access the support they need

CORTEX (COmmunity-based Real-world neuroTech EXperience) is a real-world evidence program that supports the validation of OBI-supported neurotechnology, measuring how well it performs with clinical scales and/or patient-reported outcome measures - or PROMs. By putting neurotech in the hands of those who need it most – those impacted by a brain disorder and their caregivers – OBI is helping to test the viability of alternate care pathways for accessing care.

According to the Health Innovation Implementation Ontario report, developing an innovative health technology in Ontario is the easy part. Commercializing it in the province and getting into the hands of end users is not. This is where CORTEX comes in. We partner with community groups to help get neurotech into the hands of end users to generate important real-world evidence to show that they like the technology and that it does what the company says it’s going to do.

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Impact of our work

9
Projects Funded*
1,306
Participants*

Innovative new program for the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease

In response to Ontario’s rising prevalence of dementia, RetiSpec and the Toronto Memory Program, in collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Society of Toronto, designed and tested a new care pathway for identifying people with Alzheimer's disease. Using retinal scans, and in collaboration with local eye care clinics, their technology can measure changes in the retina that correlate with the presence of amyloid protein in the brain, a key marker of Alzheimer’s disease and the earliest measurable sign.

Integration by Design: The EONS Project

Many people with epilepsy report facing difficulties in routinely tracking and managing their seizures, and have indicated that existing methods, such as seizure diaries, can be onerous and used inconsistently. New technology can sometimes help but unfortunately can have a long road from lab to life and isn’t always available to everyone due to cost. Seizing the opportunity, OBI brought together Epilepsy Ottawa and Neureka® (formerly Novela Neurotechnologies) to conduct the Epilepsy Ottawa Neureka Study – or the EONS project.

From the Lab to the Living Room

Difficulties with emotion regulation are very common in neurodevelopmental conditions and yet, our ability in supporting kids to develop effective regulation skills remains limited. To address this gap, the POND network and its partners at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital's Bloorview Research Institute (BRI) have made huge strides by developing and testing a promising new technology called 'holly'. The holly technology helps kids be aware of their big emotions. The best part? The testing is happening at home and in the community to better assess how well it works in the real world.

CORTEX Project Spotlight

Innovative new program for the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease

In response to Ontario’s rising prevalence of dementia, RetiSpec and the Toronto Memory Program, in collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Society of Toronto, designed and tested a new care pathway for identifying people with Alzheimer's disease. Using retinal scans, and in collaboration with local eye care clinics, their technology can measure changes in the retina that correlate with the presence of amyloid protein in the brain, a key marker of Alzheimer’s disease and the earliest measurable sign.

Get in touch

If you are a community organization interested in testing neurotechnology OR if you are an neurotech company looking to test the feasibility and effectiveness of neurotechnology in a community setting, send us an email at BD&P@braininstitute.ca.

*Cumulative total as of December 2023