Can a Mobile App Work Like an Antibody
Modulating Cytokines with Code: A New Frontier in Digital Medicine
By Dr. Nira Saporta
At Remepy, that question isn’t hypothetical, it’s the basis of our latest clinical research. In a randomized controlled trial published in NPJ Digital Medicine, our digital protocol, RMPY-008, achieved something never seen before: significant reductions in key pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-17, IL-23, and TNF-α, after just three weeks of app-based training. These are the same immune targets pursued by some of the most advanced biologic drugs. At the same time, the intervention improved brain connectivity in regions tied to emotion regulation and immune control, and also led to important psychological improvements. RMPY-008 may be the first software-based intervention to act like a precision immune modulator, a digital antibody.
In our most recent study, published in npj Digital Medicine, we explored this very question. Using Remepy’s RMPY-008 app, we administered a structured daily intervention over three weeks, integrating psychological therapy and stress regulation with sensory modulation techniques, including blindfolded navigation. The results were not only encouraging - they were groundbreaking.
Participants showed significant improvement in their psychological state: lower depression and anxiety scores, higher resilience, and enhanced well-being. But these changes didn’t exist in isolation. Blood samples revealed parallel reductions in key inflammatory markers-TNF-α, IL-17, IL-23, MCP-1, IFN-γ, and IL-12-all of which are implicated in neurodegenerative and mood disorders.
More compelling still was what we saw in the brain.
Resting-state functional MRI scans demonstrated strengthened connectivity between the insula - a hub for emotional and interoceptive awareness - and core frontal regions of the default mode network (DMN), salience network (SN), and central executive network (CEN). This neural reorganization was correlated with both the psychological and immunological improvements observed. In essence, the app appears to help the brain rebalance itself from the inside out.
Our decision to focus not only on cognitive but also on psychological interventions in this population was intentional and evidence-based. SCD is not only an early indicator of possible neurodegenerative disease-it is also closely tied to negative mental states. Anxiety, depression, and chronic stress are highly prevalent in individuals with SCD and have been shown to exacerbate cognitive complaints, accelerate decline, and heighten the risk of progression to conditions like Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease. Moreover, psychological distress activates pro-inflammatory pathways that impact brain health and immune function, creating a destructive feedback loop. In this light, treating the emotional dimension of SCD is not simply about improving mood-it's a strategic intervention to alter the biological trajectory of cognitive decline.
Why is this significant?
The pioneering use of behavioral, neural, and immune measurements in the same individuals pre- and post - intervention was instrumental in advancing our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of digital treatment. This insight could reshape how we view digital treatments-not just as tools for symptom management, but as gateways to systemic healing.
Critically, participants didn’t just benefit-they embraced the intervention. With 94% adherence and over 90% completion of the full program, engagement was both high and sustained. A 3-week follow-up phase with reduced intensity showed that the benefits weren’t fleeting. In fact, improvements in depression and well-being continued to increase.
This study demonstrates that digital therapeutics can do more than offer convenience-they can tap into neuroplastic mechanisms, recalibrate the immune system, and promote resilience in the aging brain. As a clinical psychologist, what excites me most is the scalability: a mobile device, 30 minutes a day, and the power to change the trajectory of brain health.
Importantly, this study also opens the door to a new class of therapeutic strategies: hybrid digital-drug interventions. By demonstrating that a digital protocol alone can influence psychological state and biological markers-specifically, reductions in inflammation and enhancements in brain connectivity-we provide a foundation for combining digital therapeutics with pharmacological treatments to achieve synergistic effects. This could be particularly impactful in medical conditions where inflammation and emotional well-being are intertwined - such as in fertility, oncology, cardiovascular disease, Parkinson’s disease, autoimmune disorders, and depression. Using a digital intervention like RMPY-008 to modulate emotional resilience and reduce inflammatory signaling could amplify the effectiveness of these drugs-not merely by improving mood, but by biologically priming the body for recovery. Additionally, positive psychological states are known to improve adherence to medication and self-care, influencing prognosis, morbidity, and even mortality. As digital medicine advances, the potential for standardized, mobile apps to enhance traditional treatments is immense.
In a world navigating an aging population and rising neurodegenerative conditions, we must look to scalable, evidence-based solutions. The RMPY-008 app represents a first-of-its-kind digital therapy rooted in neuroscience, psychology, and immunology-an integrative leap forward for a comprehensive harnessing of digital therapies.
Link to article: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41746-025-01765-1
Dr. Nira Saporta is Chief Therapeutics Officer at Remepy, she is a clinical psychologist and holds a PhD in neuropsychology.
