Israeli Startup Unveils AI-Powered Brain-Scanning Helmet Delivering Results in 15 Minutes

Israeli startup Hemispheric has introduced a new AI-based system that objectively measures and interprets human brain activity. The technology uses a lightweight helmet equipped with numerous sensors, which the patient wears for about 15 minutes. During this time, the system collects brain waves and converts them into quantitative data and medical insights for doctors and researchers.

Currently, there is no straightforward direct test for brain function comparable to those for heart or lung health. Conditions such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Parkinson's disease, and early cognitive decline are typically diagnosed through questionnaires and behavioral assessments. Hemispheric's new model, named Descartes, contains six billion parameters and was trained on over 250,000 hours of EEG data from more than 100,000 individuals.

The startup plans to initially focus on personalized brain health applications, including post-trauma, mild brain injuries, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Hagai Lalazar, CEO and co-founder, envisions a future where brain scans become as routine as blood tests during regular doctor visits, providing objective data to improve medical decision-making.

Hemispheric has quietly operated for six years and has raised $52 million from various funds and investors to develop this technology.