Tag

Neurotechnology

All articles tagged with #neurotechnology

Mind Data on the Market: The Coming Neuroprivacy Era
technology16 days ago

Mind Data on the Market: The Coming Neuroprivacy Era

Silicon Valley is driving neurotechnology from lab experiments to everyday life, aiming to decode—and potentially alter—brain signals through invasive implants and noninvasive wearables. This surge raises urgent privacy and human-rights concerns about mental privacy, personal identity, and autonomous decision-making as brain data could be mined by advertisers, employers, and tech giants. Legal wins like Colorado’s neurodata law and UNESCO discussions echo calls for global protections, while researchers warn that consumer devices and workplace monitoring could turn thoughts into a new data commodity within a decade unless safeguards are established.

Bidirectional brain implant restores hand movement and touch in quadriplegia
science1 month ago

Bidirectional brain implant restores hand movement and touch in quadriplegia

A single paralysed patient with quadriplegia regained voluntary hand movement and partial touch using a bidirectional brain-computer interface: implanted brain microelectrodes plus skin-stimulation patches translated his intended movements into nerve stimulation, with sensors providing touch feedback. Over 35 weeks he showed substantial arm-strength gains (87% in one measure reported as 86%/62% in the study) and could perform tasks like feeding himself and wiping his mouth; the work, published in Nature Medicine, marks a significant advance in neuroprosthetics but remains preliminary with one participant.

Real-Time Brain Pacemaker Adapts to Each Step to Improve Parkinson’s Gait
technology2 months ago

Real-Time Brain Pacemaker Adapts to Each Step to Improve Parkinson’s Gait

UCSF researchers developed a closed-loop adaptive deep brain stimulation system that detects step-specific brain signals and automatically modulates stimulation within milliseconds, synchronizing with walking to improve gait symmetry and reduce falls in five Parkinson’s patients—evidence supporting a shift from fixed stimulation to behavior-responsive neuromodulation with potential broader applications.

Third patient implanted with wireless brain vision device advances artificial sight
health3 months ago

Third patient implanted with wireless brain vision device advances artificial sight

A wireless intracortical visual prosthesis (ICVP) has been implanted in a third blind participant, delivering artificial vision by directly stimulating the brain’s visual cortex instead of the retina. The Rush University procedure involved 34 wireless stimulators and 544 electrodes, part of a multi-institution clinical trial led by IIT, Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute, and the University of Chicago. After ~four weeks of recovery, the participant will begin training to translate brain signals into usable vision. The study aims to assess usability, safety, and long-term outcomes over one to three years, with ongoing recruitment for more volunteers who lost vision in adulthood but had early sight, to test scalability and future clinical adoption.

First Thought-Controlled iPad Using Brain-Computer Interface
health-and-technology1 year ago

First Thought-Controlled iPad Using Brain-Computer Interface

A 65-year-old ALS patient, Mark Jackson, has become the first person to control an iPad solely by thought using an implantable brain-computer interface developed by Synchron, restoring independence in communication and device control. The technology translates brain signals into actions, offering new hope for those with motor impairments, though long-term effects and ethical concerns remain to be addressed.

Tech Solutions for Managing Anxiety
health1 year ago

Tech Solutions for Managing Anxiety

Anxiety is the most common mental health issue worldwide, with many people unable to access professional help due to resource limitations and stigma. Emerging technologies like neurostimulation devices, virtual reality, and digital therapy platforms offer promising supplementary options for managing anxiety, potentially improving quality of life and mental health outcomes.

Revolutionary E-Tattoos Transform Brain Monitoring Technology
technology1 year ago

Revolutionary E-Tattoos Transform Brain Monitoring Technology

Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin and UCLA have developed printable, temporary 'e-tattoos' as a more convenient alternative to traditional EEG caps for measuring brain activity. These e-tattoos use biocompatible ink and can be applied in about 15 minutes, offering improved comfort and usability for over 24 hours. While they provide signal quality comparable to wet gel electrodes, challenges remain for use on individuals with longer hair and for sleep monitoring. The technology represents a significant advancement in neurotechnology, though commercialization details are yet to be confirmed.

"Colorado Governor Signs First U.S. Law Protecting Consumer Brainwave Privacy"
technology2 years ago

"Colorado Governor Signs First U.S. Law Protecting Consumer Brainwave Privacy"

Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed into law the first measure in the U.S. aimed at protecting the data found in a person's brainwaves, as advances in neurotechnology make scanning, analyzing, and selling mental data increasingly possible. The law aims to provide a clear framework to protect Coloradans' personal data from being used without their consent while still allowing the development of these new technologies. The Neurorights Foundation supported the bill, noting that the neurotechnology industry's data privacy protections are often weak or non-existent. This move comes as big tech firms and companies like Neuralink and Synchron are developing technology that can detect brain activity for potential commercial use.

"Neuralink's Brain-Computer Interface Accelerates Gaming and Sparks Controversy"
technology2 years ago

"Neuralink's Brain-Computer Interface Accelerates Gaming and Sparks Controversy"

Companies like Synchron, Precision Neuroscience, Blackrock Neurotech, and Neuralink are racing to develop brain-computer interface (BCI) devices with different methods for reading and processing brain signals. Each company has unique approaches, such as inserting stents or electrodes into the brain, and using surgical robots to achieve high fidelity control. While some devices offer minimally invasive procedures, others face challenges like signal degradation and limited control. The BCI field is rapidly advancing, with startups like Science entering the race, indicating the growing interest and investment in neurotechnology.

"Advancements in Brain Implants: Balancing Potential and Privacy Concerns"
technology2 years ago

"Advancements in Brain Implants: Balancing Potential and Privacy Concerns"

Researchers in Sydney are making significant strides in brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, with projects ranging from controlling robots with brain signals to developing headsets for ADHD and reconstructing dreams from brain signals. Synchron, a company with a BCI implant technology, is seen as more advanced and safer than Elon Musk's Neuralink, as it does not require open brain surgery. However, concerns about privacy, data security, and equitable access to BCI technologies remain, as the potential for segregation between those who can afford it and those who cannot is discussed.

"Graphene Interfaces: Revolutionizing Neuroscience"
science-and-technology2 years ago

"Graphene Interfaces: Revolutionizing Neuroscience"

A groundbreaking graphene-based neurotechnology developed by ICN2 and collaborators has the potential to revolutionize neuroscience and medical applications, offering high-precision neural interfaces and targeted nerve modulation. The technology, known as EGNITE, utilizes nanoporous graphene to create flexible, high-resolution microelectrodes capable of recording high-fidelity neural signals and providing precise nerve stimulation. Preclinical studies have demonstrated its effectiveness, and the technology is being translated into clinical applications by the spin-off company INBRAIN Neuroelectronics, with the aim of conducting first-in-human trials. This innovation represents a significant advancement in neuroelectronic therapeutics and has the potential to transform the field of neurotechnology.

"Neuralink's First Patient Controls Computer Mouse with Brain Chip, Raises Doctor Concerns"
technology2 years ago

"Neuralink's First Patient Controls Computer Mouse with Brain Chip, Raises Doctor Concerns"

Medical researchers are expressing concerns about the lack of evidence and transparency from Neuralink regarding its brain implant technology, following Elon Musk's claim that the first human recipient was able to control a mouse cursor with their mind. Safety concerns have been raised, particularly in light of leaked documents detailing gruesome injuries to monkeys involved in testing. While Neuralink's purported achievements are overshadowed by these revelations, some experts believe that the involvement of multiple companies in human brain-computer interface research could ultimately benefit the field.