Lionheart Health, Inc., a company specializing in bioelectric regenerative medicine and healthspan optimization, announced that Joseph C. Maroon, MD, FACS, has joined its Scientific and Clinical Advisory Board. Dr. Maroon is a board-certified neurosurgeon and clinical professor of neurosurgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), and has served as team neurosurgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers for decades. He is recognized for his work in brain health, sports neurosurgery, concussion management, neuroinflammation, and longevity science.
Dr. Maroon’s appointment strengthens Lionheart Health’s focus on evidence-based bioelectric stimulation therapies designed to improve cognition, memory, and mood; support neuroplasticity; reduce systemic and neuroinflammation; and enhance muscle-brain axis signaling. The company’s platform includes the BodStim™ and Brain Band™ devices, which are patented bioelectric stimulation technologies. According to Lionheart Health, these therapies align with Dr. Maroon’s research into neuroprotection and inflammation reduction.
“Dr. Maroon’s decades of leadership in neurosurgery and preventive brain health bring exceptional scientific credibility and clinical insight to Lionheart Health,” said Howard Leonhardt, Founder and Executive Chairman of Lionheart Health. “His work bridging neuroscience, inflammation control, and longevity science aligns perfectly with our mission to increase healthspan through measurable improvements in muscle, brain, and immune function.”
Lionheart Health is advancing clinical initiatives focused on improving functional biomarkers of aging, including grip strength, gait speed, cognition, memory, inflammatory markers, and regenerative protein expression. Dr. Maroon will advise on brain health clinical study design, neurocognitive endpoint validation, concussion and neuroinflammation applications, and integration of lifestyle and bioelectric strategies for healthspan extension. “Optimizing brain health is central to extending meaningful healthspan,” Dr. Maroon said. “I look forward to supporting Lionheart Health’s efforts to scientifically validate innovative bioelectric therapies that aim to improve neurological resilience, reduce inflammation, and enhance overall vitality.”
Lionheart Health’s intellectual property portfolio includes patents targeting regenerative and neuroprotective signaling pathways such as Klotho, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), GDF10, SDF-1, PDGF, and eNOS. These pathways are involved in neuroplasticity, synaptic resilience, angiogenesis, and inflammation modulation. The company’s bioelectric stimulation platforms aim to modulate these proteins to support cognitive performance and neurovascular integrity. Brain health is one of three core pillars in which Lionheart Health is competing in the semifinals of the $101 million XPRIZE Healthspan Competition. The Brain Band™ was recently awarded a UCI Capstone Grant, and Medtech Outlook Magazine recognized Lionheart Health as the 2025 Micro Stimulator Developer of the Year. The company has completed preclinical studies at AccuLab Life Sciences and a pilot clinical study in Brazil, and is preparing to enroll a clinical trial combining BodStim™ and Brain Band™ for brain health.
Dr. Maroon brings over four decades of experience in academic neurosurgery and clinical innovation. He has performed thousands of complex brain and spine procedures and has contributed to modern standards in concussion management and traumatic brain injury care. He is a prolific author with more than 300 peer-reviewed publications and multiple textbooks. His research has advanced understanding of neuroinflammation, omega-3 fatty acids in brain protection, and integrative strategies for preserving cognitive function. His appointment is expected to bolster Lionheart Health’s mission to extend healthy years of life through regenerative signaling and functional performance improvements.
