Collaboration brings objective brain-function measurement into clinical practice at a Silicon Valley precision psychiatry provider specializing in precision neuromodulation for treatment-resistant depression and related conditions
Rapid EEG-based brain function assessment will be integrated into Acacia’s clinical workflow to evaluate its use alongside established psychiatric assessments
SAN FRANCISCO & SUNNYVALE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#UniversalBrain—Universal Brain, a neurotechnology company pioneering objective brain-function measurement for mental health, today announced the first clinical deployment of its U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared UB ERP System at Acacia Clinics, a Silicon Valley psychiatry practice specializing in precision neuromodulation and advanced treatments for depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The deployment marks an important milestone in bringing rapid, objective measurement of brain function into routine psychiatric care following the system’s FDA 510(k) clearance in June 2026.
Acacia Clinics, which specializes in treatment-resistant depression and related conditions and offers advanced interventions including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)-guided transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), accelerated TMS protocols including HOPE-TMS®, Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy (SAINT®) and SPRAVATO® (esketamine), will be the first clinical site to deploy the UB ERP System following FDA clearance. The initial three-month pilot will evaluate how rapid brain-function assessments can be incorporated into existing clinical workflows and provide clinicians with additional objective information alongside established psychiatric evaluations.
“Psychiatry has historically relied heavily on patient-reported symptoms and clinical observation, with limited access to objective measures of brain function,” said Kazu Okuda, M.D., Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Brain. “While FDA clearance established the regulatory foundation for our technology, its adoption in clinical practice is where we can begin to realize its full potential. Acacia Clinics is an ideal partner given its commitment to precision psychiatry and measurement-driven care. Together, we aim to make objective brain-function assessment more accessible and seamlessly integrated into routine psychiatric care, ultimately enabling more informed clinical decision-making.”
Universal Brain’s UB ERP System combines its proprietary UB Cap, a dry-electrode electroencephalography (EEG) headset, with software that measures and analyzes event-related potentials (ERPs), the brain’s electrical responses to specific stimuli. By eliminating the need for conductive gels and streamlining data acquisition and analysis, the system enables clinicians to complete an assessment, from EEG cap setup to analyzed results, allowing for rapid brain function measurement.
The UB ERP System received FDA 510(k) clearance (K253767) on June 30, 2026, for the acquisition, display, analysis, storage and reporting of EEG signals and ERPs to aid in diagnosis in adults and adolescents in a healthcare facility or clinic under the direction of a healthcare professional.
“At Acacia, our approach to psychiatric care has always emphasized understanding each patient’s individual needs and using the best available tools to inform clinical care,” said Nathan Meng, M.D., Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Acacia Clinics. “Integrating Universal Brain’s technology into our practice gives us an opportunity to evaluate how objective measures of brain function can complement the clinical information we already collect. We are particularly interested in understanding how a rapid assessment can fit into our existing workflow and contribute additional information to our clinical evaluations.”
The collaboration builds on Universal Brain’s broader efforts to introduce objective, neuroscience-based measurement into psychiatric care. The company is also advancing clinical research programs in the United States and Japan to further investigate the relationship between brain function and treatment outcomes in patients with depression. Acacia’s research arm, the Acacia Research Center (ARC), conducts clinical research in brain stimulation and precision psychiatry and will work with Universal Brain to explore how brain-function measures relate to treatment outcomes in neuromodulation.
“Our long-term vision is to make objective brain-function measurement as accessible and routine in psychiatric care as other physiological measurements are throughout medicine,” added Dr. Okuda. “This first clinical deployment is an important step in understanding how our technology can be incorporated into the real-world clinical environment, with the ultimate goal of supporting more informed, individualized care for patients.”
The UB ERP System was installed at Acacia Clinics’ Sunnyvale campus on October 8, 2026, alongside training for clinicians and support staff.
Patients and referring clinicians can learn more about the UB ERP System at Acacia at www.acaciaclinics.com
About Universal Brain
Universal Brain is a neurotechnology company developing the scalable platform for objective brain function measurement in psychiatry. Using rapid EEG acquisition and validated neuroscience-based assessments, the company’s platform enables rapid and reliable assessment of brain function. Universal Brain is working to support brain-based monitoring, patient classification (“neurotyping”), and personalized treatment decisions for psychiatric and neurological conditions. Founded in 2022, Universal Brain is headquartered in San Francisco. For more information, visit www.universal-brain.com.
About Acacia Clinics
Acacia Clinics is a recognized leader in precision neuromodulation and advanced mental health services, drawing on nearly a decade of experience in fMRI-guided TMS. Founded in 2018 by Dr. David Carreon and Dr. Nathan Meng, Acacia is led by an experienced executive team that also includes David Ling, Dr. Noah DeGaetano, and Dr. Danielle DeSouza. Acacia integrates patient-focused care, rigorous clinical research, and industry-leading partnerships to deliver exceptional, evidence-based treatment.
Contacts
Media Contacts
Universal Brain
Kimberly Ha
KKH Advisors
917-291-5744
[email protected]
Acacia Clinics
David Ling, Chief Marketing & Brand Officer
650-586-4450
[email protected]
