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Temple: Scalp Tracker or Brain-Scan Scam?
21 Sep
Summary
- Wearable tracks superficial arteries, not deep brain arteries.
- Experts question clinical science behind device's claims.
- Device not FDA or CDSCO approved, marked as wellness product.
A new wearable device, Temple, launched by Zomato founder Deepinder Goyal, claims to measure cerebral blood flow and calculate a proprietary metabolic metric called 'Entropy' to track cognitive load and stress. The device, which attaches to the temple and connects via Bluetooth, promises to monitor brain blood flow and enhance longevity. However, medical experts are cautioning consumers about the underlying clinical science.
Neurosurgeon Dr. Arun L. Naik points out that Temple tracks superficial temporal arteries in the scalp, not the deep arteries supplying the brain. He likens the device to a 'Bluetooth bindi with a business plan,' emphasizing that accurate brain blood flow measurement is an 'obstacle course' through skin, scalp, muscle, and skull, introducing significant noise.
The company's initial study, involving 23 healthy adults, showed device readings matched ultrasound data during cycling and lying down. Dr. Naik notes this could be coincidental, as scalp and brain blood flow often rise together under such conditions. He also highlights the small sample size as insufficient for rigorous clinical validation.
Dr. Naik stresses that Temple is a wellness product, not a medical device, and lacks FDA or CDSCO approval. He concludes that Temple should not replace validated neurological investigations or be trusted for diagnosing dementia, predicting brain aging, or assessing cerebral perfusion.
