Societal return on investment may greatly exceed financial return on investment in neurotechnology-based therapies: A case study in epilepsy therapy development.

Background: This research study is an economic analysis of a neurotechnology-based translational research and development venture focused on the development of a therapy for patients with epilepsy. In the conceptualization, planning, financing, and execution of neurotechnology ventures, many factors come into play in determining value and ability to secure financing at each stage of the venture. Conventionally, these have included factors that determine the return on investment for the stakeholders of the venture, most notably the investors and the team members, the former investing hard earned capital, and the latter investing significant portions of their professional careers.

Neural State Monitoring in the Treatment of Epilepsy: Seizure Prediction-Conceptualization to First-In-Man Study.

This research study is part of a therapy development effort in which a novel approach was taken to develop an implantable electroencephalographic (EEG) based brain monitoring and seizure prediction system. Previous attempts to predict seizures by other groups had not been demonstrated to be statistically more successful than chance. The primary clinical findings from this group were published in a clinical paper; however much of the fundamental technology, including the strategy and techniques behind the development of the seizure advisory system have not been published.