Kernel is a neurotechnology company based in Los Angeles, California, developing non-invasive brain-computer interfaces focused on cognitive performance measurement and enhancement. Founded in 2016 with funding from Bryan Johnson (founder of Braintree), the company aims to understand and improve human cognition through advanced neural sensing technologies.
The company's primary product is Kernel Flow, a non-invasive brain-computer interface using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to measure neural activity in the cerebral cortex.
Kernel Flow uses:
- Near-infrared light (650-1100 nm wavelength)
- Source-detector pairs arranged in a grid
- Hemodynamic response measurement: Tracks blood oxygenation changes
- Cognitive state analysis: Processes signals to determine mental states
| Feature |
Specification |
| Sensing Modality |
fNIRS (functional near-infrared spectroscopy) |
| Spatial Resolution |
~2-3 cm |
| Temporal Resolution |
~100 ms |
| Depth Penetration |
Cortical surface (~2 cm) |
| Wearability |
Head-mounted headset |
| Application |
Research and clinical |
Kernel Flow is being investigated for applications in Alzheimer's Disease:
- Cognitive assessment: Objective measurement of cognitive function
- Treatment monitoring: Tracking response to therapies
- Early detection: Identifying cognitive decline signatures
In Parkinson's Disease research:
- Motor planning studies: Examining cortical involvement in movement
- Deep brain stimulation feedback: Non-invasive monitoring during treatment
- Cognitive impairment detection: Identifying PD-related cognitive changes
In ALS research:
- Communication interfaces: Non-invasive BCI for patients with locked-in syndrome
- Cognitive monitoring: Tracking cognitive function in ALS patients
- Disease progression tracking: Monitoring neural changes over time
- ADHD assessment: Objective cognitive performance measures
- Depression monitoring: Tracking treatment response
- Brain fitness: Cognitive enhancement research
Functional near-infrared spectroscopy measures neural activity through:
Optical Properties:
- Near-infrared light (650-1100 nm) penetrates scalp and skull
- Hemoglobin absorbs differently at specific wavelengths
- Oxygenated (HbO) and deoxygenated (HbR) hemoglobin have distinct spectra
Hemodynamic Response:
- Neural activity increases blood flow
- HbO increases, HbR decreases in activated regions
- Changes detected by measuring light absorption
Kernel Flow uses a modified frequency-domain system:
| Parameter |
Specification |
| Wavelengths |
785 nm, 805 nm, 850 nm |
| Source-detector distance |
15-30 mm |
| Sampling rate |
10 Hz |
| Depth penetration |
2-3 cm |
| Spatial resolution |
~2-3 cm |
fNIRS measures prefrontal cortex activity during working memory tasks:
- N-back tasks: 2-back shows increased PFC activation
- Operation span: Complex calculation with memory
- Dual tasks: Divided attention demands
Prefrontal assessments using fNIRS:
- Stroop task: Response inhibition measurement
- Wisconsin Card Sort: Set-shifting assessment
- Tower of London: Planning ability
fNIRS monitors language-related cortical areas:
- Speech production: Broca's area activation
- Comprehension: Wernicke's area monitoring
- Reading: Visual word form areas
Prefrontal asymmetry for emotional states:
- Approach motivation: Left PFC dominance
- Withdrawal: Right PFC dominance
- Valence detection: Emotional content processing
| Metric |
fNIRS |
EEG |
| Spatial specificity |
Better |
Poor |
| Depth resolution |
Cortical only |
All brain regions |
| Signal type |
Hemodynamic |
Electrical |
| Artifact susceptibility |
Lower |
Higher |
| Cognitive state sensitivity |
High |
Moderate |
| Metric |
fNIRS |
fMRI |
| Cost |
Much lower |
Very high |
| Portability |
High |
None |
| Temporal resolution |
Seconds |
Seconds |
| Noise level |
Quiet |
Very loud |
| Setup time |
5-10 min |
30-60 min |
Kernel Flow is used to study:
Alzheimer's Disease:
- Reduced prefrontal activation during tasks
- Altered connectivity patterns
- Treatment response monitoring
- Early detection biomarkers
Parkinson's Disease:
- Frontal cognitive dysfunction
- Executive function assessment
- Deep brain stimulation optimization
- Medication effects monitoring
Stroke:
- Rehabilitation progress tracking
- Motor planning assessment
- Cognitive recovery monitoring
- hemispheric specialization
Depression:
- Prefrontal asymmetry assessment
- Treatment response
- Cognitive dysfunction measurement
ADHD:
- Prefrontal activity during attention tasks
- Executive function deficits
- Neurofeedback training
Kernel maintains partnerships with leading institutions:
- UCLA: Alzheimer's disease research
- Stanford: Cognitive enhancement studies
- MIT: Signal processing algorithms
- Harvard: Neuroscience applications
Pharmaceutical companies use Kernel Flow for:
- Clinical trial cognitive endpoints
- Drug development biomarkers
- Treatment optimization
- Patient stratification
Kernel is developing next-generation systems:
- Higher channel counts: Increased spatial coverage
- Improved comfort: More wearable form factors
- Wireless operation: Untethered data collection
- Longer battery: Extended recording sessions
- AI-based signal processing
- Cloud-based analysis
- Real-time cognitive state monitoring
- Integration with other modalities
| Feature |
Kernel Flow |
EEG |
fMRI |
| Spatial Resolution |
Medium (2-3 cm) |
Low (cm) |
High (mm) |
| Temporal Resolution |
Medium |
High |
Low |
| Cost |
Medium |
Low |
Very High |
| Portability |
High |
High |
Very Low |
| Brain Regions |
Cortex only |
Surface |
Whole brain |
- Non-invasive: No surgery required
- Portable: Can be used in various settings
- Quiet operation: No loud scanner noises like fMRI
- Cognitive focus: Designed specifically for cognitive assessment
- Comfortable: Relatively easy to wear for extended periods
- Limited depth: Only captures cortical surface activity
- Lower resolution: Compared to invasive BCIs or fMRI
- Motion sensitivity: Movement can interfere with signals
- Less precise: Cannot match invasive BCI accuracy for control tasks
Kernel collaborates with:
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA): Neuroscience research
- Stanford University: Cognitive studies
- Various pharmaceutical companies: Clinical trial support
- Founder: Bryan Johnson
- Headquarters: Los Angeles, California
- Founded: 2016
- Mission: "To understand and improve human cognition"