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Draft:Bashar Badran

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Bashar Badran is an American neuroscientist and entrepreneur known for his work in the field of neurotechnology. He is professor of psychiatry at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) where he serves as the director of the Neuro-X Lab[1] and Computational Brain Imaging Core[2]. His other involvements include serving as the co-founder and CEO of Zendo.

Education

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Badran earned a B.S. in Biological Sciences from the University of Southern California in 2011[3] and earned a Ph.D. in neuroscience from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2017.

Career and Research Contributions

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Neurotechnology and Brain Stimulation

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Badran is known for his leadership in the development of non-invasive brain stimulation technologies[4][5][6]. His work has explored techniques like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to treat mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and chronic pain​. As of 2024, a bibliometric analysis revealed Badran as the most cited scientist in the field of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS)[7], a noninvasive form of implanted vagus nerve stimulation (VNS).

Notable Inventions

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Zendo: In 2017, Badran co-founded Bodhi NeuroTech, a company focused on developing Zendo, a neurostimulation device aimed at improving mental wellness and cognitive function. ​Zendo claims to enhance meditation through electrical stimulation of brain regions associated with calmness and mindfulness[8][9]. The technology has been reported to be 2.5 times more effective than traditional meditation apps[10]​.

BabyStrong: Badran is the inventor of BabyStrong, an innovative system designed to improve the feeding process for newborns[11]. This system addresses challenges such as feeding difficulties in premature or medically fragile infants and was awarded US FDA Breakthrough designation in 2023​[12].

Motor Activated Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (MAAVNS): in 2020, Badran developed a closed-loop neurostimulation to improve motor function in stroke survivors. Called MAAVNS, this technology delivers auricular vagus nerve stimulation with motor rehabilitation to improve motor function outcomes[13]. Recent evidence suggests MAAVNS may be twice as effective as standard rehabilitation therapy[14].

Zero Gravity Research

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Badran's contributions extend into space research, where he has worked on developing brain stimulation technologies for zero-gravity environments[15]. In collaboration with NASA in 2019, he developed specialized TMS helmets that enable brain stimulation during microgravity conditions. Using these helments, Badran became the second known person to administer brain stimulation in zero gravity. This project project aimed to explore the effects of TMS on astronauts’ mental and physical health during space missions​ and demonstrated that neurophysiological changes occur during brief periods of zero gravity. These changes can be due to an upward shift of the brain within the skull, acute increases in cortical excitability, changes in intracranial pressure, and diffuse spinal or neuromuscular system effects.[16]

Impact and Recognition

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Badran has gained recognition for his work in advancing non-invasive medical technologies that have the potential to improve a wide range of neurological and psychological conditions[17]. His interdisciplinary approach combining neuroscience, engineering, and entrepreneurship earned him the distinction of one of 10 investigators to receive the 2024 NIH Heal Initiative Trailblazer award.[18]

References

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  1. ^ Rogers, Kristen (2024-12-19). "Vagus nerve stimulation may relieve treatment-resistant depression, study finds". CNN. Retrieved 2024-12-23.
  2. ^ "Pain management research involving wearable technology". South Carolina Public Radio. Retrieved 2024-12-23.
  3. ^ "Keeping a Promise". News and Events. 2010-11-01. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  4. ^ tcorwin@postandcourier.com, Tom Corwin (2024-06-24). "Long COVID, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome may overlap in symptoms, potential treatment". Post and Courier. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  5. ^ tcorwin@postandcourier.com, Tom Corwin (2024-06-24). "Brain reset: MUSC nerve stimulation has promise for crippling disease plaguing young women". Post and Courier. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  6. ^ tcorwin@postandcourier.com, Tom Corwin (2023-02-16). "Nerve stimulation helps newborn babies feed, fight withdrawal and may rewire their brains". Post and Courier. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  7. ^ Chen, Mingyue; Yang, Chunlan; Chen, Yin; Nie, Kailu; Wang, Tingting; Qu, Yun (2024-09-19). "Research hotspots and trends of non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation: a bibliometric analysis from 2004 to 2023". Frontiers in Neurology. 15. doi:10.3389/fneur.2024.1429506. ISSN 1664-2295. PMC 11460548. PMID 39381073.
  8. ^ "Two MUSC professors are using neurotechnology to revolutionize meditation". WCBD News 2. 2021-12-01. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  9. ^ Smith, Dana G. (2018-12-19). "Too impatient to meditate? A mild shock to the scalp could help". Popular Science. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  10. ^ "Zendo Meditation: The Modern Meditation Device". Zendo Meditation: The Modern Meditation Device. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  11. ^ Badran, Bashar W.; Jenkins, Dorothea D.; Cook, Daniel; Thompson, Sean; Dancy, Morgan; DeVries, William H.; Mappin, Georgia; Summers, Philipp; Bikson, Marom; George, Mark S. (2020-03-18). "Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation-Paired Rehabilitation for Oromotor Feeding Problems in Newborns: An Open-Label Pilot Study". Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. 14: 77. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2020.00077. ISSN 1662-5161. PMC 7093597. PMID 32256328.
  12. ^ "Babystrong: A Breakthrough In Infant Feeding Therapy – FRD Accel". Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  13. ^ Bell, Jamie (2023-07-31). "Non-invasive VNS approach could enhance post-stroke recovery outcomes". NeuroNews International. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  14. ^ Badran, Bashar W.; Peng, Xiaolong; Baker-Vogel, Brenna; Hutchison, Scott; Finetto, Patricia; Rishe, Kelly; Fortune, Andrew; Kitchens, Ellen; O’Leary, Georgia H.; Short, Abigail; Finetto, Christian; Woodbury, Michelle L.; Kautz, Steve (June 2023). "Motor Activated Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Potential Neuromodulation Approach for Post-Stroke Motor Rehabilitation: A Pilot Study". Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair. 37 (6): 374–383. doi:10.1177/15459683231173357. ISSN 1545-9683. PMC 10363288. PMID 37209010.
  15. ^ "MUSC researchers test brain stimulation in zero gravity". web.musc.edu. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  16. ^ Badran, Bashar W.; Caulfield, Kevin A.; Cox, Claire; Lopez, James W.; Borckardt, Jeffrey J.; DeVries, William H.; Summers, Philipp; Kerns, Suzanne; Hanlon, Colleen A.; McTeague, Lisa M.; George, Mark S.; Roberts, Donna R. (2020-09-21). "Brain stimulation in zero gravity: transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) motor threshold decreases during zero gravity induced by parabolic flight". npj Microgravity. 6 (1): 26. Bibcode:2020npjMG...6...26B. doi:10.1038/s41526-020-00116-6. ISSN 2373-8065. PMC 7505837. PMID 33024819.
  17. ^ "A small but mighty force in mental health research". web.musc.edu. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  18. ^ "MUSC neuroscientist honored for trailblazing pain management research". web.musc.edu. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
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