Outline of the π Program——Aobo Brain Science Initiative

Sun Zuodong

The mathematical constant π (pi) is an infinite non-repeating decimal. For daily calculations, 3.14 suffices; even ultra-precise computations only require a few hundred digits. The ancient mathematician Liu Hui once wrote, "Divide the circle again and again until division can proceed no further—the shape merges perfectly with the circumference with no residual error." This statement encapsulates the mathematical concept of limits.

Brain science is hailed as the jewel in the crown of scientific research, with brain disorders standing as its core priority. Neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) represent global medical conundrums. For nearly a century, no pharmaceutical agent has proven capable of halting or slowing disease progression.

The United States, the European Union, Japan and other nations have launched national brain initiatives to seize the commanding heights of brain science, yet all have largely set aside research into brain disorder therapies. In contrast, Harbin Aobo Medical Devices Co., Ltd. (hereafter referred to as Aobo Medical) of China has achieved world-leading progress in treating brain diseases via physical intervention technologies.

Upon Aobo Medical’s founding, its trademark was designed in the shape of a crown, stylized from Chinese characters "Aobo", symbolizing the boundless, profound mysteries of brain science. When the official Brain Science Network website was launched, the domain name pai314.com was chosen to signify infinity. The π Program adopts π as the emblem of brain science because the human brain is as complex as the universe, while excessively microscale research yields little practical value for treating clinical brain disorders.

Core Mandate of the π Program

Centered on brain disorder treatment and guided by the Brain Cell Activation Theory, the π Program aims to pioneer novel physical modalities for the prevention and treatment of cerebral illnesses, build a distinctive theoretical and technical system for brain health, claim global leadership in brain science, and establish the new academic discipline of Physical Pathology. The release of this Outline and Aobo Medical’s official launch of the π Program carry extraordinary significance, exerting clear strategic guiding influence over brain science research agendas in China and worldwide.

1 Feasibility of the π Program

1.1 Theoretical Foundation

The Brain Cell Activation Theory serves both as the theoretical bedrock of the π Program and the core guiding framework for brain disease treatment.

Core Tenets of the Brain Cell Activation Theory

Neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s are closely linked to physically gated ion channels, which can be modulated via physical therapeutic interventions. Activating neurotransmitter-releasing neurons constitutes the core therapeutic mechanism, with voltage-gated calcium channels as the optimal target for physical stimulation. Physical modulation induces calcium influx, triggering synaptic vesicle release of neurotransmitters at neuronal axon terminals.

The theory delineates clear therapeutic principles, methodologies and endpoints for neurodegenerative conditions such as AD and PD. It also highlights the inherent limitations of purely chemical pharmaceutical approaches, suggesting that physical interventions or combined physical-chemical therapies will emerge as the primary research direction for major cerebral disorders in the future. While developed for brain conditions, the theory’s applications extend far beyond neurology.

The originator of the π Program first proposed the core viewpoint that "activating brain cells is the key to curing intractable encephalopathies" back in 1994, based on popular science and cellular-level observations. In 2015, he formalized the full Brain Cell Activation Theory at the molecular level supported by comprehensive literature review, publishing the complete framework on China Online Science and Technology Papers. This theoretical hypothesis, alongside a series of monographs including Awaken the Dormant Brain and Conquer Parkinson’s Disease, has laid the preliminary groundwork for Sun Zuodong’s integrated brain science theoretical system.

1.2 Practical & Industrial Foundation

Guided by the Brain Cell Activation Theory, Aobo Medical has translated transcranial electrical and transcranial magnetic-electric stimulation technologies into clinical therapies for severe brain diseases, forging an entirely new path for physical prevention and treatment of encephalopathies.

Fully Developed & Industrialized Projects

The R&D and Application of Transcranial Magnetic-Electric Encephalopathy Therapeutic Equipment was designated a Major Project for Restructuring Heilongjiang’s Biological Industry and won the First Class Heilongjiang Provincial Science and Technology Invention Award in 2013. Collectively categorized as endogenous neurotransmitter regulation technology, this portfolio holds four national Class II medical device registration certificates, covering two major product categories with nine distinct models for brain health care:

Brain Function Rehabilitation Therapeutic Apparatus A National Torch Program project, recipient of the Gold Medal at the China Invention Exhibition and the Lepine Medal at the Paris International Invention Fair. It obtained China’s first medical device registration license in 1995 (Heilongjiang Medical Device Approval No. 95227014). Indicated for stroke sequelae, vascular dementia and cerebral atrophy, it represents the world’s first application of transcranial electrical technology for severe encephalopathy treatment.

Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Apparatus Supported by Heilongjiang’s Major Science and Technology Research Program, it secured registration approval on April 17, 2014. A global original innovation, it breaks the longstanding limitation that no drug can halt or slow AD deterioration, delivering an exclusive physical therapeutic modality for Alzheimer’s disease.

Parkinson’s Therapeutic Apparatus Also funded under Heilongjiang’s Major Science and Technology Research Program and awarded the China Industry-University-Research Cooperation Innovation Achievement Prize, it received its registration certificate on January 31, 2011. A world-first invention, it reduces global reliance on pharmaceutical and surgical interventions for PD and is nicknamed an "external brain pacemaker".

Depression (Insomnia) Therapeutic Apparatus Designated a National Torch Program Industrialization Demonstration Project and National Key New Product, winner of the First Class Heilongjiang Excellent New Product Award, it obtained registration on January 31, 2011. Its development proves depressive mood disorders do not universally require pharmaceutical intervention, marking another global pioneering physical therapy solution.

Ongoing R&D Projects for Severe Brain Disorders

Extensive theoretical and clinical validation confirms transcranial magnetic-electric stimulation delivers promising therapeutic effects for epilepsy, pediatric cerebral palsy and disorders of consciousness (vegetative state). Over the next five years, Aobo Medical will launch full research programs for dedicated therapeutic systems targeting these conditions. In June 2014, the company signed a formal clinical research cooperation agreement with the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University for the Aobo Epilepsy Therapeutic Apparatus, with joint clinical trials now fully underway.

1.3 R&D Team & Institutional Platforms

Founded in 1996, Aobo Medical specializes in the R&D and manufacturing of rehabilitation equipment for severe brain disorders. It holds National High-Tech Enterprise accreditation, operates a National Postdoctoral Research Workstation, and ranks among Heilongjiang’s first batch of Postdoctoral Innovation and Entrepreneurship Bases. The company hosts the Heilongjiang Encephalopathy Rehabilitation Equipment Engineering Technology Center and Harbin Municipal Key Encephalopathy Rehabilitation Equipment Technology Center.

The Heilongjiang Eurasian Brain Science Research Institute, established in 2001, is the world’s first research institute bearing the formal title "Brain Science". Its core research covers neurotransmitter modulation, neuron activation, nervous system repair and neural functional information systems. In 2005, it launched the world’s first professional brain science portal: China Brain Science Network (pai314.com).

The core innovation team comprises 12 senior researchers: 1 national-level talent under the National New Century Hundred-Thousand-Ten Thousand Talents Program; 2 recipients of Special Government Allowances from the State Council; 2 Distinguished Young Experts of Heilongjiang Province; 3 laureates of the First Class Heilongjiang Provincial Science and Technology Invention Award; Over 10 researchers with municipal or higher-level science and technology honors.

1.4 Program Originator

Sun Zuodong, native of Hulan District, Heilongjiang Province, holds the professional title of Research Fellow and serves as a postgraduate joint training supervisor. He is the originator of the Brain Cell Activation Theory and inventor of the world’s first dedicated therapeutic devices for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. His honors include the State Council Special Government Allowance, recognition as a National New Century Hundred-Thousand-Ten Thousand Talent, and the China May Fourth Youth Medal. He currently serves as President of the Heilongjiang Eurasian Brain Science Research Institute and Chairman of Harbin Aobo Medical Devices Co., Ltd.

Sun Zuodong’s systematic, original breakthroughs in brain science have drawn widespread domestic and international attention. He has proposed groundbreaking theoretical frameworks for treating severe encephalopathies and authored the Brain Cell Activation Theory monograph series including Awaken the Dormant Brain and Conquer Parkinson’s Disease, which have undergone multiple reprints due to their accessibility and rigorous scientific content. All core technologies embedded in Aobo’s brain health product lineup represent independent original innovation with fully proprietary intellectual property rights. He has led numerous state-supported research projects centered on endogenous neurotransmitter regulation technology. The R&D and Application of Transcranial Magnetic-Electric Encephalopathy Therapeutic Equipment earned the 2013 First Class Heilongjiang Provincial Science and Technology Invention Award and was listed as a key industrialization project under Heilongjiang’s 12th Five-Year Plan. Aobo’s suite of brain science achievements has been successively recognized as National Torch Program Projects, Torch Program Industrialization Demonstration Projects and National Key New Product initiatives.

2 Strategic Planning Principles of the π Program

2.1 Guiding Ideology

Adopt a global vision targeting the cutting edge of international brain science; center all work on brain disorder treatment, pioneer new physical prevention and therapeutic modalities, build a complete brain science theoretical system, consolidate Aobo Medical’s world-leading position in physical brain disease intervention, and secure a dominant place at the pinnacle of global brain science research.

2.2 Core Strategic Approach

Focus tightly on brain disorders, with all work revolving around encephalopathy treatment guided by the Brain Cell Activation Theory.

Over the past century, mainstream brain science research into severe cerebral illnesses has suffered from fundamental flaws in methodology and orientation: excessive utilitarianism, fragmented isolated outputs, lack of unified core theoretical frameworks, disjointed independent research silos, redundant duplicate work and even academic misconduct. This systemic disorganization has prevented transformative clinical breakthroughs. The π Program adopts a systematic, prioritized strategic framework organized around four pillars:

(1) Comprehensive Validation of the Brain Cell Activation Theory

The Brain Cell Activation Theory remains a scientific hypothesis. Its evolution from contested conjecture to universally recognized truth will generate a full spectrum of foundational neuroscience and clinical research outputs, while providing novel research pathways for non-physical therapeutic interventions. It acts as the golden key unlocking the full potential of brain science. Taking neurodegenerative diseases (PD, AD) as primary research entry points, large-scale clinical trials and basic laboratory investigations will be conducted extensively. Following mechanistic chains of neurotransmitters, hormones and ion channel targets, the scope of indications for physical stimulation will be expanded to cover schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, myasthenia gravis, Huntington’s chorea, epilepsy, pediatric cerebral palsy, autism, intellectual disability, addictive disorders, carbon monoxide poisoning, chronic pain, disorders of consciousness, coronary heart disease, diabetes, and sensory impairments of sight, hearing and other five senses. A dedicated series of physical therapeutic instruments will also be developed for intellectual development in fetuses, children and adolescents, plus brain disease prevention and treatment for middle-aged and elderly populations.

(2) Establish Novel Core Therapeutic Modalities for Brain Disorders

Per the Brain Cell Activation Theory, all diseases can be categorized as physical disorders, chemical disorders, or mixed physical-chemical disorders. All neurotransmitter-related brain conditions are prioritized for physical intervention treatment. The program establishes endogenous neurotransmitter regulation patented physical stimulation technology as its primary research mainline, complemented by secondary research sublines covering preventive intervention, surgical treatment and gene-biomedical approaches. The primary physical therapy track will drive progress across auxiliary research fields, catalyzing comprehensive, balanced advancement of brain science without unfocused, disjointed "catch-all" research portfolios.

(3) Integrated Basic & Clinical Research

A longstanding divide exists between fundamental laboratory research and real-world clinical practice: clinical findings rarely evolve into unified core academic theories, while basic theoretical research lacks clinical validation and translational extension, limiting the impact and quality of neuroscience outputs. The π Program mandates close cross-disciplinary collaboration between laboratory and clinical teams to conduct coordinated, systematic research campaigns.

(4) Industry-University-Research-Clinic Integrated Innovation

Enterprises serve as the core engine of technological innovation, driven primarily by market demand rather than individual academic curiosity. Aobo Medical allows researchers to hold equity via intellectual property contributions. Within the integrated industry-university-research-clinic ecosystem, market demand acts as the directional guide, with enterprises leading overall research coordination.

2.3 Core & Ultimate Strategic Objectives

Core Objective: Pioneer innovative physical prevention and treatment modalities for brain diseases and construct a complete brain science theoretical framework.

Ultimate Objective: Secure permanent global leadership in physical brain disorder therapy and claim the commanding heights of international brain science research.

Adhering to the principle of prioritizing high-impact research while deprioritizing low-value work, the program adopts a phased roadmap to reach its long-term ultimate goals amid mixed advanced and backward technological landscapes.

Short-Term Strategic Phase (2016–2020) Boost the international recognition and acceptance of the Brain Cell Activation Theory, and capture greater market share in medical care for severe encephalopathies including stroke sequelae, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

Medium-Term Strategic Phase (2021–2025) Upgrade existing product lines toward high-precision, intelligent iterations and launch next-generation updated devices. Expand and refine treatment indications through targeted modulation of ion channels, neurotransmitters and hormones, improving therapeutic precision and efficacy to cover the full spectrum of major brain disorders.

Long-Term Strategic Phase (2026–2030) Expand the narrow definition of Brain Cell Activation Theory into a generalized Cell Activation Theory, extend physical therapeutic modalities to systemic treatment of the entire human organism, and formally establish the independent academic discipline of Physical Pathology.

3 Strategic Roadmap of the π Program

3.1 Short-Term Development Priorities

The enterprise must achieve transformative leaps forward to lay solid groundwork for medium and long-term strategic targets. All limited capital and human resources will be concentrated on resolving core bottlenecks restricting overall corporate growth.

Further consolidate the academic standing of the Brain Cell Activation Theory Since the theory’s 2015 publication on China Online Science and Technology Papers, scholars including Dr. Shilihe Zhuang of Hokkaido University, Japan, have raised critical questions. Three core works — An Open Letter in Reply to Dr. Shilihe Zhuang, The World Stands on the Eve of the Physical Revolution in Brain Science, and The Brain Cell Activation Theory — will be compiled into a single published volume to reinforce the international originality and leading status of this indigenous theoretical framework.

Strengthen full-spectrum intellectual property protection Clinical trial data from existing therapeutic devices will be sequentially published in peer-reviewed professional journals to solidify global recognition of Aobo’s original technological inventions. The company will fully enforce legal protections for team copyrights and patents, taking firm legal action against all infringement activities.

Expand market penetration and promotion of established products Industrialized therapeutic equipment including the Brain Function Rehabilitation, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and Depression Therapeutic Apparatuses target severe encephalopathies such as stroke sequelae, PD, AD and mood disorders. While sustaining current market share, the company will scale up marketing outreach, with special focus on expanding clinical hospital procurement channels.

Recruit full-time and part-time brain scientists to aggregate top intellectual resources Numerous domestic research institutes excel in fundamental brain science research, while tier-one tertiary hospitals in provincial capitals boast robust clinical platforms with diverse patient cohorts. The program will also engage world-renowned international neuroscientists, offering competitive compensation and part-time research appointments to attract elite intellectual talent into the π Program ecosystem.

Accelerate corporate shareholding system reform and seek strategic investment partners Aobo Medical’s transition into the capital market represents an inevitable developmental milestone. The five-year short-term goal is to build the company into China’s leading specialized brain health medical device enterprise with substantial global industry influence.

3.2 Priority Research Fields

Neurodegenerative diseases, stroke sequelae, epilepsy and psychiatric disorders.

Refine existing products and accelerate new device R&D Building upon iterative optimization of the four flagship therapeutic apparatuses, the company will conduct independent R&D integrated with university-hospital collaborative research, prioritizing development of dedicated therapeutic systems for epilepsy, pediatric cerebral palsy and disorders of consciousness rehabilitation.

Elucidate therapeutic mechanisms and validate the Brain Cell Activation Theory hypothesis For neurodegenerative disorders, molecular-level research will further clarify stimulation mechanisms and empirically verify the core hypotheses of the Brain Cell Activation Theory. Special research focus will be placed on ion channels, neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, endocrine hormones, neural plasticity and optogenetics, supporting parallel development of non-pharmaceutical preventive intervention protocols.

3.3 Flagship Short-Term Frontier Research Projects

R&D of integrated neurotransmitter detection and modulation instruments Building on proprietary endogenous neurotransmitter regulation technology, integrated devices combining real-time neurotransmitter testing and targeted stimulation modulation will be developed for clinical application, improving the precision and efficacy of all Aobo encephalopathy therapeutic equipment.

Subproject: Transcranial Magnetic-Electric Epilepsy Therapeutic Apparatus – approved as a 2015 Heilongjiang Applied Technology R&D Program with dedicated government funding.

Supporting mechanistic study on transcranial magnetic-electric suppression of epileptic seizures – funded under the 2015 Heilongjiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation.

Reassessment and ethical review of the approved cerebral ultrasound therapeutic device: research will re-evaluate irreversible neuronal damage risks alongside its hypothesized ability to break down vascular thrombi and cerebral amyloid plaques; the project may be terminated if safety risks cannot be mitigated.

Publish two definitive academic monographs: The Brain Cell Activation Theory and Physical Pathology All publicly released theoretical content and interpretive papers surrounding the Brain Cell Activation Theory will be compiled into a single authoritative volume. Cross-disciplinary expert working groups will co-author the textbook Physical Pathology, laying the foundational academic framework required to formalize this new discipline.

Optimize China Brain Science Network and official WeChat public platforms Launched in 2005 as the world’s first dedicated brain science web portal, China Brain Science Network operates alongside official WeChat accounts "Aobo Medical", "Brain Science" and "Brain Science Initiative" to form a comprehensive professional brain science media ecosystem. Full platform optimization will expand public and academic outreach services for patients and neuroscience researchers globally.

4 Core Implementation Measures for Short-Term Strategic Goals of the π Program

4.1 Talent Team Cultivation

Build a specialized integrated marketing team combining advanced online and offline, domestic and international sales methodologies to create an exclusive Aobo business model. Launch public postdoctoral recruitment programs and implement targeted training pipelines for high-level core research specialists.

4.2 Expanded Collaborative Partnerships

Strengthen joint research cooperation with domestic and international brain science research groups, offering part-time research appointments, full equivalent staff benefits and reserved equity shares for external collaborating scientists. Partnership recruitment operates via exclusive invitation-based membership mechanisms.

4.3 Corporate Institutional Restructuring

Accelerate joint-stock system reform, introduce strategic institutional investors, actively apply for national industrial policy support, and advance preparations for future capital market listing.