[AI Revolution](24) Dementia Prevention with AI-Enabled Digital Therapeutics

Development of 'Superbrain' for Dementia Prevention Through Clinical Trials
Effective in Improving Cognitive Function in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment
CES Participation... "We Aim to Expand Beyond Korea to the World"

When experiencing 'mild cognitive impairment,' memory and cognitive functions decline compared to others of similar age. Although the term may be somewhat unfamiliar, it represents a pre-dementia stage and is considered a 'high-risk group.' According to data from the Korean Dementia Association, the number of patients suffering from this impairment reached 2.54 million in 2021. Experts unanimously agree that prevention for patients with mild cognitive impairment is crucial because once dementia develops, it becomes irreversible.

CEO Seunghyun Han of Rowan (Photo by Rowan)

There is a company that has developed a 'digital therapeutic' applying AI (artificial intelligence) for patients experiencing this impairment. Digital therapeutics refer to software medical devices. Rowan, a healthcare IT company established in 2017, is leading dementia prevention through 'SuperBrain,' a program conducted via tablets. Rowan, which operates on a B2B basis, supplies hospitals and public health centers and charges license fees annually. In just the first quarter, SuperBrain secured contracts with over 20 hospitals, including major institutions such as Inha University Hospital and Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital. Currently, the company has completed a Series A investment round worth 6 billion KRW and is in the process of raising Series B funding.

The operating principle of SuperBrain is as follows. Patients with mild cognitive impairment engage in activities across five program areas via tablet: cognitive training, vascular health, exercise, nutrition management, and motivation enhancement. After the attending physician's assessment, one or more of these areas are selected, and the patient undergoes training or learning through the tablet. The course lasts a total of six months.

When focusing intensively on cognitive training, patients use 68 different tasks across four domains to train specific brain functions. For example, the program might present the number 12 and then show a honeycomb image with four numbers?2, 3, 5, and 9?asking, "Please select the correct answer using two honeycombs." Another task shows apple images engraved with the numbers 86 and 98 and asks, "Which number is larger when rotated 180 degrees?" This approach provides intuitive and familiar, customized content based on everyday life.

Superbrain Actual Operation Screen (Photo by Rowan)

This program is designed by adapting the widely used dementia prevention program 'FINGER,' popular in the United States, Europe, Singapore, and Australia, to suit the Korean environment and the elderly's perspective. Training outcomes are recorded as data, and AI recommends the necessary training or treatment methods for each patient. The AI also features deep learning capabilities, optimizing its decisions as more data accumulates. Physicians refer to AI's assessments when treating patients. To date, over 60,000 patient data entries have been collected.

SuperBrain was developed after three years of clinical trials involving 152 participants. Neurology specialists, including Professor Choi Seong-hye from Inha University, participated in its development, and clinical results demonstrated that it has an effective impact on improving cognitive functions. This confirms its dementia prevention efficacy. Last year, it was selected as one of the 'CORE 100' startups by the Seoul Investment Agency under the Seoul Metropolitan Government, a program that selects 100 competitive startups. It was also chosen as a company for the 2023 AI Voucher Project hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT.

Rowan is an industry leader. Although there are latecomers in similar businesses, according to CEO Han Seung-hyun of Rowan, none have yet undergone clinical trials. Rowan's strategy is to solidify its position domestically while aiming for overseas expansion. SuperBrain was also showcased at CES (Consumer Electronics Show) 2023. CEO Han said, "I take pride in developing a dementia prevention digital therapeutic together with Korea's leading medical professionals," adding, "Our goal is to expand beyond Korea and enter global markets."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.