Developing Breakthrough Contact Lens Technology for Mental Health Monitoring
(LOS ANGELES) – Yangzhi Zhu, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), has been awarded the prestigious 2024 NARSAD Young Investigator Grant for his groundbreaking work on a lab-on-a-contact lens (LoCL) system. This innovative technology is designed to monitor mental health by providing real-time, non-invasive tracking of panels of key biomarkers, from the wearer’s tears.
Mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression, affect nearly a billion people worldwide and have worsened in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Current diagnostic methods, which often rely on subjective reporting and require frequent clinic visits, are insufficient in addressing these issues. The LoCL technology aims to address this gap by offering a home-based solution that enables continuous, real-time monitoring of mental health biomarkers.
The NARSAD Young Investigator Grant, awarded by the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, recognizes Dr. Zhu’s significant contributions to the field of mental health. The grant will support the ongoing clinical trial, which focuses on two key objectives:
- Development of the LoCL System: Refining the LoCL technology to ensure accurate, efficient, and safe monitoring of multiple physiological parameters in real-time.
- Human Pilot Studies: Evaluating the effectiveness of the LoCL system in tracking treatment outcomes for patients with depression and exploring its potential as a clinical tool for managing other mental health conditions.
“Mental health disorders now affect nearly a billion people worldwide. Current diagnostic methods, relying on subjective reporting and frequent clinic visits, are inadequate in addressing these growing challenges.” said Dr. Zhu. “This recognition through the NARSAD Young Investigator Grant underscores the importance of our work. Our LoCL technology represents a significant step forward in enabling early intervention and personalized treatment for mental health disorders.”
“This innovation has the potential to revolutionize mental health care, making it more accessible and precise,” added Ali Khademhosseini, CEO of TIBI. “I am very proud of Dr. Zhu and super excited about his upcoming research.”
The support from the NARSAD Young Investigator Grant will allow TIBI to continue advancing this transformative technology, paving the way for a new era in mental health care. The LoCL system is anticipated to offer a simple, cost-effective tool for early diagnosis and ongoing management of conditions such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.