Community-Led Real-World Neurotech Experience (CORTEX)

Two CORTEX projects have been supported by MEDTEQ+ and AGE-WELL through envisAGE, an initiative created to propel Canada to the forefront of the AgeTech sector and foster quality aging nationwide. Advancing Dementia Care aims to quickly screen and identify older adults who require more comprehensive cognitive testing while PRIMS will establish a 'gold standard' in clinical assessments for Parkinson's disease and improve access for patients with mobility issues or in rural areas.

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.

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.

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.