We unlock the power of neuroscience to ease suffering and enhance human potential. We’re on a mission to transform the way the world treats neurological problems with effective, accessible and non-pharmaceutical solutions that harness the latest in science, technology, engineering and big data.
DESIGN
TECHNOLOGY
POTENTIAL
AXON
Our proprietary Axon system employs electroencephalography (EEG) neurofeedback and combines miniaturised technology, Cloud-based AI and consumer-friendly apps to enable patients to self-treat pain and other neurological conditions at home or in a professional setting. Axon works by monitoring brain activity and then helping the patient retrain their brain to interpret nerve signals in a different way.
Research
Exsurgo is rapidly expanding the global database of quality clinical trials and studies to confirm the effectiveness of its technologies for a range of neurologically-related conditions, prior to commercial rollout.
RECENT NEWS
Chronic neuropathic pain after surgery is a significant clinical problem (Borsook et al 2013). People with this pain condition may experience shooting, burning pain, numbness or pins and needles, or hypersensitivity to pain. The pain may be constant or may occur intermittently. Unlike most other types of pain, neuropathic pain does not usually get better with common painkillers, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen. Other medicines commonly used include anti-depressants and anti-convulsant.
Two patients with chronic neuropathic pain following back operations successfully used the Axon intervention to reduce pain and increasing mobility.
If pain at night is keeping you from a good night's sleep, there are a few things you can do to help you sleep better. According to Harvard Health, some people have more luck getting to sleep when they create a night routine, set-up the perfect sleep environment and focus on positive thinking. What helps you sleep when you're having a pain flare?
Chronic pain sufferers know all too well that chronic pain fluctuates during the day. Why is it that for a lot of sufferers, the pain worsens at night? According to researchers at the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine, there are a few scientific answers to this phenomenon. One being that at night, the production of an anti-inflammatory hormone cortisol is at its lowest. Research also suggests that pain may follow a circadian rhythm, like the clock our body uses to regulate our sleep patterns. Insufficient sleep can also lead us into an ongoing pain cycle, where insomnia increases the release of proteins called cytokines, making people more sensitive to pain and thus, disrupting our sleep. Find out more through the link below.
Whether you are single, taken or "it's complicated", Valentine's Day is a day for practising the greatest love of all: Self-love. Self-love is a skill that requires continuous attention and practice. It's a muscle that needs to be flexed over and over again until it becomes strong and helps us feel present, in control and empowered. Research suggests that self-love activates the self-soothing system in the prefrontal cortex of the brain and deactivates the brain's threat-system which reduces feelings of insecurity and defensiveness.
To celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we're highlighting the incredible work of Dr Manasi Murthy Mittinty who is fighting to improve how we manage pain. After surviving a life-threatening accident causing third-degree burns over her body, Dr Mittinty witnessed first hand the significant challenges burn victims face - including learning to walk and using her hands again. From her own experience, she found that pain not only affects victims but their family and close friends. "The impact of chronic pain on families, particularly on the primary caregiver who could be a parent, partner, spouse or friend, is substantial." After recovering, she studied medicine and a PhD in pain management to enhance patient care and support people to manage pain. In November last year, she was awarded the Emerging Leader in Health at the Women's Agenda Leadership Awards for her empowering work. #WomenInScience
In case you missed it, last year our CEO Richard Little was featured on Dominic Bowden's TodayFM Wellbeings show to discuss the origins of Exsurgo, the science and technology behind Axon, and the importance of utilising data when analysing chronic pain patient results. Richard explains, “This is the driver for Exsurgo: that we’re living longer, we’ve survived things we’ve never survived before, we have expectations that are higher, so let’s use technology to try and drive efficiency into the system. To free up the clever clinicians to do what they do best.” Follow the link to listen back to their insightful conversation.
As Americans battle the mounting opioid crisis, Harvard Medical School physician Haider Warraich argues that governments "should push public and private insurance programs to provide more ready access to interdisciplinary and alternative pain care." He believes patients with chronic pain have suffered because they have been "treated by a system that prioritized fast prescriptions or profitable procedures." He also discusses a new mindset is needed to not repeat prior mistakes following medicine's 'desperate attempts' to treat chronic pain. Read his op-ed below in the Los Angeles Times: "Opioids don’t do enough for chronic pain sufferers."
A new study found that going for a walk in a park or along a lake surrounded by trees and bush may reduce the need for medication related to anxiety, asthma, depression, high blood pressure and insomnia. Researchers at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare interviewed 6,000 people in three of the largest cities in Finland about how they use green spaces - forests, gardens, parks - and blue spaces like lakes, rivers and the sea. They found that visiting nature three to four times per week cuts people's chances of turning to drugs for mental health problems or high blood pressure by a third, and for asthma by about a quarter. The findings correlate with a growing body of evidence that people living near green spaces reap significant health benefits. Take a read of the Newshub article below to find out more.
A whanau-focused opioid tapering intervention for people with chronic pain has received a $1.4 million research grant to produce a series of digital videos aimed at curbing opioid addiction. With one in every five New Zealanders experiencing chronic non-cancer pain including Māori who face the greatest burden, the series will share personal stories from Māori patients who have struggled with a dependency on prescription opioids. It’s their hope that patients who view the videos may be more open to speaking with their clinician and consider opioid tapering for themselves.
NZ Doctor urges people to remember the lonely this holiday season, as studies show the intersection of depression, dementia and loneliness is a significant risk for older people, particularly men. The main risk factors to be aware of in general practice are physical illness and functional impairment. However, not all risks are visible and an eagle eye is needed to recognise these factors. Read more below on the risk factors and the significance of being aware, being in touch, and providing opportunities for older people to open up about the daily challenges they face.
Auckland psychiatrist Dr Alexa Srzich says that while there is still research to be done into how hypnotherapy affects a person’s brain, they urge people to not dismiss the practice. Hypnotherapy may conjure thoughts of a swinging watch and feeling suddenly sleepy, but the practice can be helpful in managing health conditions like chronic pain or anxiety, and can aid in treating debilitating addictions. Clinical psychologist Dr Dougal Sutherland explains that once your attention is focused on a particular thing, you are much more open to receiving suggestions that lead to changes in behaviour, thinking or sensations. ”If you believe that hypnosis will help reduce your chronic pain then you’re much more open to hypnotic suggestions about this.”
With exciting announcements around our largest Axon clinical trial to date on the horizon, Exsurgo is proud to be recognised in Idealog’s latest article featuring key tech companies to keep an eye on this year. “Heading into 2023, Exsurgo is continuing to pioneer the neuro technology space as the new year marks a “significant” step toward “large-scale commercialisation” of its product, Axon.” Featured alongside payment platform Dolla, sustainable internet provider Zeronet, and start-up technology company Partly, our CEO Richard Little discusses breakthroughs in the healthcare industry and how 2023 will be a pivotal year for Exsurgo as we edge closer to making Axon accessible to millions of chronic pain sufferers around the world.
In a display of incredible Kiwi ingenuity, researchers at Cawthron Institute in Nelson are using algae to produce non-addictive alternatives to opioids for long-term pain relief. The team developed a method for producing a shellfish toxin called "neosaxitoxin" which is found in marine microalgae. Initial clinical trials in the United States and Europe have shown incredible results for patients following many types of surgery and for treating severe local pain.
