AJAYA

Epilepsy is a disorder in which abnormal nerve cell activity can cause seizures. During these seizures, the patient experiences fainting, rhythmic muscle contractions, and sometimes loss of consciousness. Epilepsy can happen to anyone, so it is important to diagnose this disorder early.

Of the 52 million individuals afflicted with epilepsy in low-income regions, nearly 75% are speculated to go undiagnosed and untreated due to the lack of affordable, accessible diagnostic options. The most common standard for diagnosing neurological disorders are Electroencephalograms (EEGs) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), but these options may be unaffordable for small clinics and can have a long and unpleasant process for patients.

The micro-electrode array (MEA) recording system is a promising tool for neurological disorder diagnostics as it is relatively inexpensive and alleviates the discomfort a patient may feel from other diagnostic procedures. These devices have the potential to detect abnormal neuron activity before the patient begins to experience epileptic symptoms. Our team aims to create an affordable option that is capable of recording neuronal voltage signals for healthcare specialists and researchers in underdeveloped areas. The low-cost microelectrode array system developed by our team will solve the problems presented by the treatment gap in these areas and improve patient comfortability by utilizing a blood sample to aid diagnosis.