How Piramidal is Using AI to Decode Human Brain Waves

Pioneering AI for brain wave interpretation: Piramidal, a Y Combinator-backed startup, is developing a groundbreaking foundation model to decode complex brain language and interpret EEG data, with potential applications across various medical fields and beyond.

• The company’s AI model is being trained on brainwave data in a manner similar to how ChatGPT is trained on text, making it the largest model ever trained on EEG data.
• Piramidal recently secured $6 million in funding from Y Combinator, Adverb Ventures, Lionheart Ventures, and angel investors including founders of Intercom, Plangrid, and Guilded.

Addressing challenges in EEG interpretation: The startup aims to overcome significant hurdles in the current process of analyzing electroencephalography (EEG) data, which is crucial for diagnosing brain-related conditions.

• Traditional EEG interpretation by neurologists is time-consuming and error-prone, with a margin of error up to 30%.
• There is a severe shortage of neurologists capable of interpreting EEGs, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs) where brain waves are recorded for extended periods.
• EEG data is complex and rapidly changing, making it difficult for even specialized doctors to interpret accurately and comprehensively.

The Piramidal solution: The company’s AI model is designed to match the expertise of neurologists while ensuring comprehensive analysis of EEG data.

• The model can ingest EEG data and interpret it in near-real time, providing outputs to medical staff on various brain disorders.
• It aims to assist doctors by offering quicker and more accurate diagnoses, potentially saving time and improving patient care.
• The model has been trained on a wide range of EEG use cases from both proprietary and open-source datasets.

Applications beyond the ICU: While initially focused on neuro ICU applications, Piramidal’s founders envision broader uses for their AI model.

• The technology could be implemented in general neurology, epilepsy units, long-term monitoring situations, and neuropsychiatry.
• Future applications may include use in physician clinics for various patient screenings.
• The model has potential in pharmacology for real-time efficacy testing and in consumer products that rely on EEG data.

Personalized brain health monitoring: As wireless EEG sensors become more mainstream, Piramidal’s model could enable the creation of personalized agents for continuous brain health monitoring.

• These agents could offer real-time insights into treatment responses and disease progression.
• Future applications may include “quantified introspection” through everyday devices equipped with neural sensors.
• Potential uses include stress level monitoring, meditation enhancement, and memory boosting during sleep.

The founders’ vision: Piramidal’s co-founders, Kris Pahuja and Dimitris Sakellariou, bring diverse expertise to their mission of decoding the human brain.

• Sakellariou, who holds a Ph.D. in neuroscience, was inspired by his experiences in EEG studies ranging from psychedelics to sleep research.
• Pahuja views neurotech as the next frontier, driven by a fascination with the complexity of the human brain.

Potential impact on healthcare: Piramidal’s AI model has the potential to transform neurological diagnostics and personalize treatment approaches.

• The technology could enable earlier prediction of diseases and provide continuous monitoring of brain health.
• By automating analysis and enhancing understanding through large models, the approach could revolutionize personalized treatment in neurology.

Looking ahead: Decoding the brain’s complexity: As Piramidal continues to develop and refine its AI model, the startup is positioning itself at the forefront of a potential transformation in healthcare and our understanding of the human brain.

• The company is currently piloting its technology in two hospitals in England: King’s College and Saint Thomas.
• As the technology evolves, it may offer new insights into the functioning of the brain, potentially unlocking some of the mysteries of this complex organ.
• The broader implications of this technology could extend beyond healthcare, potentially influencing fields such as consumer electronics, personal wellness, and cognitive enhancement.