Fig. 1

Brain wearables as agents to monitor brain health. a Photo of the Muse® 2 headband transmitting electrical brain activity to a smartphone. This particular model is worn over the forehead (2 frontal EEG electrodes) and behind the ears (2 temporal EEG electrodes) and also contains sensors to measure heart rate and head movement. Example of EGG data captured by device across different mental states (e.g., active vs. relaxed). These pattern changes can be interpreted using machine learning to provide dynamic real-time feedback to users through custom smartphone applications (e.g., quality of meditative states). Newer portable EEG devices are now adding additional electrodes to expand spatial resolution and applications. b The non-specific and relatively late-onset symptoms of brain tumors have not allowed for early and population-wide screening. Continuous monitoring of brain activity with smart wearables, when coupled with deep learning algorithms (e.g., convolutional neural network (CNN)), could however allow for earlier detection of pathology at a population level. The recent favorable outcomes seen with aggressive surgical resection for gliomas provide optimism that early intervention may allow for more complete removal of disease and improved outcomes