# Developing a novel EEG-based index for evaluating amyloid and tau burden in Alzheimer's Disease

> **NIH NIH R44** · SPARK NEURO INC. · 2024 · $1,175,044

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative condition that impacts 44 million people globally.
It is the most common cause of dementia—accounting for 80% of all dementia diagnoses—and predominantly
affects older people. To date, AD has no cure. Thus, it is imperative to diagnose patients as early as possible to
maximize the efficacy of symptom management strategies. However, existing AD diagnostic and monitoring
options remain subpar, leaving urgent need for sensitive, reliable, and convenient methods to measure AD.
New research suggests that electroencephalography (EEG) -based biomarkers can assess neural degeneration
caused by AD long before tissue loss or behavioral symptoms appear. SPARK Neuro aims to unlock the full
potential of EEG through a novel software platform: SPARK Scan. Combining EEG with the capabilities of
machine learning, SPARK Scan better assesses cognitive health and neurodegeneration, aiding the diagnosis
of AD. In the proposed Direct-to-Phase II SBIR project, the company will enhance the existing SPARK platform
by developing a novel Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology Index that tracks patient amyloid and tau burden.
Developed with CSF data collected from Johns Hopkins University, the Pathology Index will be a continuous
score that corresponds to a patient’s pathological disease burden. After updating the software, the SPARK team
will employ Human Factors testing to enhance the usability and utility of the updated platform and clinical report
before submitting findings for FDA De Novo approval. This work will progress the SPARK platform by providing
a granular measure of AD-related pathology, extending beyond current capabilities.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10769847
- **Project number:** 5R44AG080940-02
- **Recipient organization:** SPARK NEURO INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Keith Yoder
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $1,175,044
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-02-01 → 2026-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10769847

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10769847, Developing a novel EEG-based index for evaluating amyloid and tau burden in Alzheimer's Disease (5R44AG080940-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10769847. Licensed CC0.

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