WARF TECHNOLOGIES

Waste removal from the central nervous system (CNS) is essential for maintaining brain homeostasis. Disruption of waste clearance can lead to protein accumulation. The aggregation of pathogenic proteins β-amyloid, α-synuclein, and C-tau in the brain may cause the deleterious effects of numerous diseases and disorders such as traumatic brain injury/chronic traumatic encephalopathy, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. Removal of these pathogenic proteins has been found to have substantial therapeutic benefit, for example, in treating traumatic brain injury/chronic traumatic encephalopathy, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. Disruption of glymphatic waste clearance is also implicated in several mental health disorders including depression, bipolar disorder (BPD), and anxiety.

UW-Madison researchers have developed a method of synergistically facilitating the exchange of CSF and ISF by creating a layered electrical stimulus pattern that induces cerebral arterial wall movement and promotes AQP4 mediated CSF/ISF exchange during sleep. Moreover, separating the layered stimulation pattern with a high frequency stimulus after sleep helps to break down waste biomolecules and misfolded proteins for further CSF clearance.

For More Information About the Inventors

• Kip Ludwig
• Justin Williams

Tech Fields

• Medical Devices : Neurological devices