[Good Brain 2024] Kim Hangrae CMO "Sleep Disorders, Both Cause and Result of Dementia"

Rowan, Dementia Diagnosis and Treatment Digital Tech Company
"65% of Dementia Patients Have Sleep Disorders"
Attempt to Combine Ring Wearable for Sleep Measurement

"Sleep disorders are both a cause and a consequence of dementia. When degenerative brain diseases occur, sleep disorders appear, and conversely, sleep disorders can cause or worsen dementia through various mechanisms."

Kim Hang-rae, Chief Medical Officer of Rowan, attended the '2024 Good Brain Conference' hosted by Asia Economy on the 11th at the Diamond Hall of The Plaza Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, and gave a lecture on the topic of 'Smart Ring and Healthy Sleep.' Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Kim Hang-rae, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Rowan, emphasized the connection between dementia and sleep at the '2024 Good Brain Conference' held on the 11th at The Plaza Hotel in Sogong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, stating, "65% of patients with Alzheimer's dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) have sleep disorders." MCI refers to a kind of 'pre-dementia stage' where cognitive function is lower than that of peers of similar age but does not yet qualify as dementia.

Founded in 2015, Rowan is a company with a vision to diagnose and treat dementia using digital technology, including developing 'Superbrain,' a digital therapeutic device (DTx) for dementia. Rowan focuses on sleep because sleep is ultimately closely related to dementia. Kim CMO pointed out, "Waste products in the brain are 'washed away' through cerebrospinal fluid, but when sleep disorders occur, this system does not function properly," adding, "If you do not sleep well, harmful proteins accumulate, leading to the onset or worsening of diseases such as dementia."

People visiting the Samsung Store in Gangnam, Seoul, last July, when Samsung Electronics' 'Galaxy Ring' was officially launched, are examining the Galaxy Ring. Photo by Yongjun Cho jun21@

This is also why Rowan conducted research to explore the relationship between lifestyle habits such as sleep and dementia using the ring-shaped wearable device 'Oura Ring.' Ring-shaped wearables have recently gained attention as new health measurement devices, with Samsung Electronics launching the 'Galaxy Ring,' among others.

Kim CMO stated, "The gold standard for accurately assessing sleep quality and diagnosing sleep disorders is polysomnography," but he also noted, "The testing equipment can interfere with sleep, and since it is conducted in an unfamiliar hospital environment, the usual problems may not be reflected," highlighting its limitations. Although devices like Fitbit’s actigraphy and smartwatches such as Galaxy Watch and Apple Watch have been developed, inconveniences such as having to wear them on the wrist remain. He emphasized, "When compared and analyzed directly with indicators measured by polysomnography, the ring-shaped wearable showed similar measurement results," adding, "It has emerged as a simple yet reliable test."

Kim CMO said, "Evaluating sleep quality and providing appropriate treatment to dementia patients is important for improving quality of life and slowing disease progression," and added, "If digital technology can diagnose patients with sleep disorders who have been overlooked until now, it will be an opportunity to control symptoms through proper treatment and delay degenerative brain diseases."