Brain implant will be trialled to help treat neural conditions

 

Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust will trial a whole-brain computer interface that uses ultrasound to measure and modulate brain-wide activity.

The ultrasonic neural interface, developed by the US-based non-profit Forest Neurotech, could be used to treat conditions like depression, addiction, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

A study to investigate the safety and tolerability of the Forest 1 device will run for three and a half years, starting from March 2025, funded by the Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA) as part of its Precision Neurotechnologies program.

Aimun Jamjoom, consultant neurosurgeon within the Barking, Havering, and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “The ARIA award presents an extraordinary opportunity to advance our work on developing ultrasound neurotechnology for whole-brain imaging and modulation.

“This holds the promise of delivering a new class of life-changing therapies for individuals living with neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders.”

Around 30 individuals who have had craniectomies (skull defects) will be recruited to test Forest 1, with the device placed on the surface of the skin at the site of the skull defect to interface with the brain.

Recognizing that many neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders stem from disruptions in neural circuits – the brain’s intricate ‘wiring’ – the research, in partnership with the University of Plymouth, aims to pave the way for personalized therapies by precisely targeting neural networks with minimally invasive methods.

Jacques Carolan, program director at ARIA, said: “To date, there’s been little serious investment into methodologies that interface precisely with the human brain, beyond ‘brute force’ approaches or highly invasive implants.

“Through trials like this – a first for the UK – we’re showing that it’s possible to develop elegant means of understanding, identifying, and treating many of the most complex and devastating brain disorders.

“Ultimately, this could deliver transformative impact for people with lived experiences of brain disorders.”

ARIA will fund a coordinated portfolio of 18 research teams across academia, non-profit R&D organizations, and startups dedicated to advancing brain-computer interface technologies.

The program will direct £69 million over four years to unlock new methods for interfacing with the human brain at the neural circuit level, to treat complex neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, and depression.

Other projects funded by the program include a team, led by the University of Glasgow, which will build advanced neural robots for closed-loop neuromodulation, specifically targeting epilepsy treatment, and London-based Navira, which will develop a novel technology for delivering gene therapies across the blood-brain barrier to help develop safer and more effective treatments.

 

The full list of projects being funded under the Precision Neurotechnologies program is listed here.

Meanwhile, medtech startup Robeauté has raised $28 million (£23m) to develop microrobots that enter the brain to diagnose, treat and monitor neurological conditions.

The robots, which are the size of a grain of rice, can safely carry out tasks in the brain such as delivering molecules, implanting electrodes, and collecting cell or live-data samples.

Ethical considerations regarding brain implants include: privacy concerns over accessing and interpreting neural data, potential for altering personality or identity, equitable access to the technology, informed consent, risk of unintended consequences, and the responsibility of healthcare providers in managing and monitoring implanted devices; all raising questions about the boundaries of personal autonomy and the potential for misuse of this technology. 

Key ethical issues:

• Privacy and Data Security:

  Brain implants could potentially record and interpret highly personal information like thoughts, emotions, and intentions, raising concerns about unauthorized access and misuse of this sensitive neural data. 
• Identity and Autonomy:

  Altering brain activity through implants could potentially impact an individual's personality, sense of self, and decision-making abilities, leading to ethical questions about whether such modifications are acceptable. 
• Informed Consent:

  Due to the complexity of brain implant technology and potential risks, ensuring patients fully understand the implications and provide informed consent is crucial. 
• Access and Equity:

  Concerns exist regarding the potential disparity in access to brain implant technology, with the potential for privileged individuals to benefit more than others. 
• Unforeseen Consequences:

  The long-term effects of brain implants are not fully understood, raising concerns about potential unintended side effects or complications that may arise later. 
• Medicalization of Mental Health:

  There's a potential for brain implants to be used to "fix" mental health conditions, raising questions about the societal implications of medicalizing aspects of human experience. 
• Ethical Oversight and Regulation:

  Clear guidelines and ethical frameworks are necessary to govern the development, use, and application of brain implant technology. 

Important considerations when discussing brain implants:

• Patient-centered approach:

  Prioritizing the patient's autonomy, needs, and informed decision-making throughout the process. 
• Risk-benefit analysis:

  Carefully evaluate the potential risks and benefits of brain implants for each individual case. 

https://www.digitalhealth.net/2025/01/brain-implant-will-be-trialled-by-nhs-to-help-treat-neural-conditions/