Every day, millions of people track their steps, heart rate, sleep patterns, and even calorie intake. They log data into apps or strap on wearables to keep a pulse on their health. According to a recent YouGov survey, 66% of Americans now monitor at least one metric through an app or device, and 24% specifically track sleep to optimize rest and recovery . From smart rings that log temperature fluctuations to wrist-worn devices measuring blood oxygen levels, the consumer wellness market has exploded and it empowers individuals to make data-driven lifestyle changes.
Yet amid this sea of self-tracking solutions, there is one vital organ that is largely ignored after medical visits: the brain. While we can see our steps and heart rhythms on demand, we lack everyday measures of neurological health. This gap leaves conditions such as dementia, depression, and multiple sclerosis under-monitored until significant and irreversible changes occur. The field of digital phenotyping highlights this opportunity. It defines the moment-by-moment quantification of an individual-level human phenotype in situ using data from personal digital devices .
In MS care, this blind spot can be especially consequential. Silent progression means the subtle worsening of motor or cognitive function between clinic appointments often goes undetected until a patient’s next MRI or exam. Fortunately, smartphone keystroke dynamics have emerged as a promising digital biomarker. Across academic and clinical deployments, everyday phone interactions have shown strong potential to signal early signs of decline, often before traditional checkups catch them.
Neurocast is bringing this potential to life. After securing FDA registration at the end of 2024, the Amsterdam-based startup is rolling out Neurokeys, a smartphone keyboard that silently analyzes how users type, scroll, and interact with their device. There is no need for wearables or active surveys. Everyday phone use powers continuous neurological monitoring.
“Our vision is simple,” says Levie Hofstee, founder and CEO of Neurocast. “Brain health should be measurable on a daily basis just like steps or sleep.” He adds, “By the time a change shows up on an MRI, it is often too late. Passive monitoring lets us capture those early signals when interventions can be most effective.”
Neurocast is also expanding its impact beyond clinical trials and hospitals. The company is forming strategic partnerships with major health insurers focused on aging-in-place, as well as employers seeking tools to support cognitive resilience and mental wellness in the workplace. These collaborations show how passive brain health monitoring can be integrated into broader population health strategies, from chronic disease management to preventative care.
Beyond MS, Neurocast’s platform is designed for broad application across cognitive and motor health. The company is already testing the same passive approach for Alzheimer’s, ADHD, and depression. In these conditions, subtle changes in behavior or interaction patterns can foreshadow clinical events.
“We are at the dawn of a preventative neurology era,” Hofstee explains. “Imagine a world where your phone notifies you or your care team when your cognitive speed dips or your coordination falters before you even notice. That is the future we are building.”
As consumer appetite for wellness data grows, bridging the brain-health gap is the logical next step. By harnessing the ubiquitous smartphone and grounding algorithms in rigorous real-world validation, Neurocast exemplifies how passive technologies can transform chronic disease management. For patients who have long suffered from the unseen progression of neurological conditions, this innovation offers not just data but hope. Their brains may finally receive the daily check-ups they deserve.
