Bioelectrical impedance technology shows promise for real-time, non-invasive monitoring of neurological diseases

Bioelectrical impedance technology (BIT) is emerging as a powerful tool in neurology, offering a non-invasive and real-time approach to monitor physiological and pathological changes in the brain. A new review, published in MedComm – Future Medicine, systematically summarizes the principles, clinical applications, and future prospects of BIT in neurological diseases.

Neurological disorders such as stroke, brain tumors, epilepsy, and brain abscesses pose significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Traditional imaging and monitoring methods are often invasive or limited in their ability to provide continuous, real-time information. BIT, by measuring the electrical impedance of brain tissue, captures subtle changes linked to cellular metabolism, fluid balance, and pathological processes, enabling clinicians to track disease progression with minimal risk to patients.

The review details multiple BIT modalities, including electrical impedance tomography (EIT), which generates cross-sectional images of brain impedance. It also introduces the “disturbance coefficient,” a novel parameter for quantifying abnormal tissue states. By examining both clinical and experimental studies, the authors demonstrate how BIT can differentiate ischemic from hemorrhagic stroke, monitor cerebral edema and intracranial pressure, assess tumor-related abnormalities, and detect seizure activity in epilepsy.

Beyond current applications, BIT holds promise for advancing personalized medicine. Real-time monitoring may help clinicians make timely therapeutic decisions, evaluate treatment efficacy, and guide neurorehabilitation strategies. The review also identifies challenges to wider clinical adoption, such as the need for standardized protocols, device miniaturization, and large-scale clinical validation.

“This technology could transform the way we diagnose, monitor, and manage neurological diseases,” said the corresponding authors. “By integrating BIT with other clinical data, we move closer to precision medicine in brain health.”

Looking ahead, the authors call for interdisciplinary collaboration among clinicians, engineers, and neuroscientists to refine BIT methods and expand their clinical applications. With continued innovation and validation, BIT has the potential to become an indispensable tool in neurological care.

See the article: 

Bioelectrical Impedance Technology in Neurological Diseases: Mechanisms, Clinical Applications, and Future Perspectives

https://doi.org/10.1002/mef2.70032