Israeli Tech Offers New Approach to PTSD Treatment
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
An Israeli company, PRISM, has developed a new technology for treating PTSD using targeted amygdala neurofeedback. The system provides real-time feedback on brain activity, helping patients learn self-regulation strategies without recounting traumatic events. Clinical trials show significant improvement in PTSD symptoms, with most patients independently using learned strategies post-treatment. The technology has received FDA and Israeli regulatory approval and is being implemented in medical centers, with plans to expand to conflict-affected areas.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israeli technology PRISM uses neurofeedback to help PTSD patients regulate brain activity.
- The system provides real-time visual and auditory feedback on amygdala network activity.
- Treatment focuses on self-regulation skills, not recounting traumatic events.
- A study showed 67% of patients experienced significant clinical improvement in PTSD symptoms.
- Over 85% of patients reported using learned strategies independently after treatment.
- PRISM has received FDA and Israeli regulatory approval and is used in medical centers.
An innovative Israeli technology called PRISM is offering a new method for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by utilizing targeted amygdala neurofeedback. Developed by the company PRISM, the system aims to help patients retrain their brains to respond differently to threats and stress.
PRISM is based on extensive brain research led by Professor Talma Hendler, a psychiatrist and neuroscientist at Tel Aviv University and Ichilov Hospital. The technology focuses on the amygdala, a deep brain region crucial for fear, threat, and stress responses. The system allows patients to receive real-time feedback on their brain activity patterns related to the amygdala network, gradually learning to regulate these responses.
The technology employs an EEG cap and sensors to monitor the brain's electrical activity. Using a combination of brain research and machine learning models, PRISM identifies amygdala-related activity patterns and translates complex brain information into simple visual and auditory feedback for the patient. The treatment involves interactive exercises where patients wear the EEG cap and sit before a screen displaying their real-time brain activity. Patients experiment with various mental strategies, learning which ones help regulate their brain activity, with the system providing immediate feedback.
Dr. Nadav Goldental, a psychiatrist, highlighted that PRISM's key feature is that it does not require patients to recount traumatic events. Instead, the focus is on the patient's response and their ability to develop self-regulation tools. The treatment is non-pharmacological, non-invasive, and complements standard clinical care. A typical protocol includes 15 sessions, each lasting 30-45 minutes, twice a week for about two months.
A multi-center study conducted in Israel and the United States showed significant clinical improvement in 67% of PTSD patients, with 32% achieving remission three months post-treatment. Improvements were also noted in depression and sleep quality. Notably, over 85% of patients reported using the learned self-regulation strategies independently outside of therapy sessions, indicating the technology's goal is to equip patients with lasting tools rather than create dependency.
PRISM has received regulatory approval from the FDA and is also approved by Israel's Ministry of Health (AMAR). The system is currently implemented in medical and therapeutic centers across Israel, with efforts underway to expand its accessibility to treatment and resilience centers in the Gaza border region and conflict lines.