Model and Strategy
So many things that matter, such as happy relationships, financial autonomy, personal achievements and
contributions to the community, depend on the brain's ability to support healthy cognition, motivation and mood.
The neural networks that support these functions are typically weakened in psychiatric illness. Recently, a host of
experimental therapies have emerged that harness the brain's ability to evolve and strengthen its networks as a
result of experience or trainingan ability called neuroplasticity. Such approaches so far include cognitive training,
neuromodulation, and neurofeedback. These show promise to improve patients' function in ways current
medications and psychotherapy cannot, boosting attention, clarity of thought, and mood, without the side effects of
drugs. With these improvements, patients can better pursue productive lives. By testing a new neuroplasticity-based
treatment, this project will advance the process of making such treatments clinically available to all.
Impact
Based on past Rising Star Awardees' records, large government grants to expand this study are likely within 1-2
years. Also, IMHRO will draw upon its relationships in the neuroscience community to enable other labs to further
validate this treatment. Already 5 prominent scientists have shown interest: Tyrone Cannon (Yale), Carrie Bearden
and Nelson Freimer (UCLA), Tara Niendam (UC Davis) and Sophia Vinogradov (UCSF). IMHRO will share the
investigator's data and methods with these scientists (and with the broader community), enabling up to 100,000
more experimental patients to be treated within 5 more years. Also, IMHRO and UCSF will partner such that if both
parties receive Battery Powered funding, the 2 projects will synergize: UCSF has offered to add IMHRO's treatment
into its project's research. With all these studies ongoing, it is estimated that the FDA will approve IMHRO's new
treatment within five to ten more years. Then, an estimated 60 million American adults with psychiatric illness,
insurance, and internet may access the treatment as needed. Ultimately this treatment will spread to benefit
patients around the world and their families
Leadership
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Cindy Dyar
Executive Director
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Brandon Staglin
Project Lead