Neuroelectrics facts for kids

Neuroelectrics is a company based in Barcelona, Spain. They create special devices that can help understand and treat the brain. The company started in 2011. It grew out of another research group called Starlab Neuroscience Research, which began in 2000.

The company was started by Ana Maiques and her husband, Giulio Ruffini. Ana is the CEO, which means she is the main leader of the company. They both used to work for a company called Starlab in Barcelona.

Neuroelectrics makes two main medical devices:

• Enobio is a wireless device that you can wear. It helps monitor your brain by recording brain waves. This recording is called an electroencephalogram (EEG). Think of it like listening to your brain's electrical signals.
• Starstim is another device that does two things. It records brain waves (EEG) and also uses gentle electric currents to stimulate the brain. This stimulation is non-invasive, meaning it doesn't go inside your body. It uses three types of stimulation:
  • Direct current (tDCS)
  • Alternating current (tACS)
  • Random-noise (tRNS) stimulation

Ana Maiques believes these devices could help doctors spot early signs of brain conditions like Parkinson's or Alzheimer's. This could help people get treatment sooner and slow down the conditions.

Company Milestones and Awards

In February 2014, Neuroelectrics opened an office in Boston, Massachusetts, in the United States. This helped the company grow even more.

Later in 2014, Ana Maiques received a special award. She won third prize in the European Commission's Women Innovator Contest. This award recognized her great ideas and leadership in starting and growing the company. In April 2015, Neuroelectrics also won the Bupa Startup Stage at Wired Health 2015, showing their innovative work.

Device Safety and Approvals

Both Starstim and Enobio are considered safe medical devices. They have received special approvals, like the CE certification, which means they meet European safety standards for medical products. They are used by doctors and researchers.

In the United States, these devices are classified as "investigational devices." This means they are still being studied for new uses. They also have approval from Health Canada, allowing them to be used in Canada. Starstim is approved in Europe to help treat conditions like pain, stroke, depression, and certain addictive disorders.