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- Weekly Signal: 09 — BCIs, Brain Ethics & Genetic Frontiers
Weekly Signal: 09 — BCIs, Brain Ethics & Genetic Frontiers
BCIs, Ethics & Engineered Minds: From Thought-Control to Genetic Targeting
Ricardo Albornoz
May 31, 2025
Table of Contents
🧠 Weekly Signal
neurotechnology. Every week, we handpick the most impactful stories shaping the future of brain science, neuroengineering, and cognitive technology. Whether you're a researcher, enthusiast, or industry professional, Weekly Signal keeps you connected to the pulse of the neurotech world.
Let's cut through the noise this week!
🧠 ONWARD Medical Expands ARC-BCI® Therapy Trials
Published: May 21, 2025
Source: ONWARD Medical Press Release
ONWARD Medical has successfully implanted its investigational ARC-BCI® Therapy in two additional individuals with spinal cord injuries, bringing the total to five participants in their clinical feasibility studies. The ARC-BCI® system aims to restore movement by creating a direct communication pathway between the brain and spinal cord.
🔑 Key People:
Grégoire Courtine, PhD – Neuroscientist specializing in spinal cord repair.
Jocelyne Bloch, MD – Neurosurgeon collaborating on BCI technologies.
🔹 Why it matters:
This advancement signifies a promising step toward restoring mobility in individuals with paralysis, leveraging brain-computer interface technology to bypass damaged neural pathways.
🔹 Big picture:
The continued success of ARC-BCI® implants underscores the potential of neurotechnology in rehabilitative medicine, offering hope for improved quality of life for those with spinal cord injuries.
🧠 NeuroPace Reports Positive Results in Epilepsy Neuromodulation Study
Published: May 28, 2025
Source: NeuroPace Press Release
NeuroPace has announced preliminary one-year data from its NAUTILUS study, evaluating the efficacy of responsive neurostimulation in patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE). The study indicates a significant reduction in seizure frequency among participants.
🔑 Key People:
Martha Morrell, MD – Chief Medical Officer at NeuroPace.
🔹 Why it matters:
These findings suggest that responsive neurostimulation could be an effective treatment for IGE, a form of epilepsy that has been challenging to manage with existing therapies.
🔹 Backstory:
The success of the NAUTILUS study may pave the way for broader adoption of neuromodulation devices in epilepsy treatment, offering a new avenue for patients unresponsive to medication.
⚖️ Public Perception Study Highlights Ethical Considerations in Neurotechnology
Published: April 18, 2025
Source: ScienceDirect Article
A large-scale study led by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School explores public perception of neurotechnologies targeting mood, memory, and motor symptoms. The team surveyed 1,052 U.S. adults, finding that non-invasive tools (e.g., pills, TMS) were seen as safer and more acceptable than invasive ones like deep brain stimulation (DBS).
🔑 Lead Researchers:
Rémy A. Furrer, Amanda R. Merner, Peter Zuk, Gabrieli Lozano-Muñoz, Ian Stevens, Theresa Williamson, Francis X. Shen
Affiliated with MGH, Harvard Med, and the Neurotech Justice Accelerator
🔹 Why it matters:
As BCI and neuromodulation move into real-world clinical use, public trust is critical. This research offers an ethical compass for developers to align design decisions with human concerns about autonomy, identity, and safety.
🔹 Backstory:
This marks one of the first studies to quantitatively dissect how device invasiveness, treatment purpose, and perceived risk shape public support. It provides a framework to guide ethical neurotech deployment and improve adoption through user-centered design.
🧠 China's Brain-Spinal Interface Enables Rapid Recovery in Paralyzed Patients
Published: May 24, 2025
Source: Interesting Engineering Article
Researchers at Fudan University have developed a brain-spinal interface that enabled four paralyzed patients to regain mobility within 24 hours post-surgery. The system reactivates dormant nerves, facilitating rapid recovery.
🔑 Key People:
Jia Fumin – Lead researcher at Fudan University's Brain-like Intelligence Science and Technology Research Institute.
🔹 Why it matters:
This breakthrough demonstrates the potential for neurotechnology to restore function in individuals with spinal cord injuries, challenging previous assumptions about irreversible paralysis.
🔹 Backstory:
The success of this brain-spinal interface highlights the global race in neurotechnology innovation and its transformative impact on rehabilitation medicine.
🧬 NIH BRAIN Initiative Unveils Targeted Gene Delivery Systems
Published: May 29, 2025
Source: NIH News Release
Scientists funded by the NIH BRAIN Initiative have developed advanced gene delivery systems capable of targeting specific cell types in the brain and spinal cord. These "gene delivery trucks" offer precise control over gene expression.
🔑 Key People:
John Ngai, PhD – Director of the NIH BRAIN Initiative.
🔹 Why it matters:
Targeted gene delivery could revolutionize treatments for neurological disorders by enabling precise modulation of neural circuits without affecting surrounding tissues.
🔹 Backstory:
This innovation represents a significant step toward personalized medicine in neurology, with potential applications in conditions like ALS, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's disease.
🧬 Nitrous Oxide Enhances Gene Therapy Delivery to the Brain
Published: May 26, 2025
Source: PubMed Article
A study published in Gene Therapy demonstrates that nitrous oxide can safely enhance the delivery of gene therapies to the brain when combined with MR-guided focused ultrasound. This method improves blood-brain barrier permeability.
🔑 Key People:
Bhavya R. Shah, MD – Lead researcher at UT Southwestern Medical Center.
🔹 Why it matters:
Improving the delivery of gene therapies to the brain addresses a significant challenge in treating neurological diseases, potentially increasing the efficacy of such treatments.
🔹 Backstory:
This approach could facilitate the development of non-invasive gene therapies for a range of brain disorders, marking a pivotal advancement in neurotherapeutics.
⚡ Innovator Spotlight
In our Innovator Spotlight, we celebrate members of The NeuroCircuit community who are pushing the boundaries of neurotechnology. Each week, we feature a subscriber who has successfully completed our latest Community Challenge. Their innovative approach and dedication exemplify the spirit of collaboration and discovery that drives our community forward.
🛠️ Neurohack Nexus: Live Neurotech Project Repository
The Neurohack Nexus is a continuously updated, open‑source library of neurotechnology projects—complete with code, schematics, step‑by‑step tutorials, and community contributions. Whether you’re a beginner tinkering with your first EEG hack or an advanced builder crafting custom BCI extensions, the Nexus brings together the resources and collaborative spirit you need to learn, build, and innovate.
How useful would you find the Neurohack Nexus? |
📚 Reading Corner (2025)
Curious minds, this one’s for you. Whether you're exploring the mechanics of BCIs, diving into neural engineering, or reflecting on the ethical frontiers of brain science—our curated list of neurotech reads has you covered.
But we’re just getting started—help us expand the list!
👉 What books would you recommend? Share your top picks in our 1-click survey and help shape the future of the NeuroCircuit library.
🎓Academic Resources
Whether you're applying for a master’s in neuroengineering, seeking PhD programs with BCI research, or hunting for summer research internships, our academic resources are your go-to launchpad.
We’re curating a growing list of academic programs, research fellowships, and internship opportunities around the globe. And we’d love your help!
📢 Know a great program, lab, or opportunity?
Share it with the community using our short-survey below 👇️
📅 Upcoming Events (2025)
Stay informed about upcoming neurotech conferences and networking opportunities around the world:
Cognitive Neuroscience Society (CNS) 2025 Annual Meeting
📍 Boston, Massachusetts, USA | March 29–April 1, 2025
NeurotechEU Symposium 2025
📍 Bonn, Germany | May 13, 2025
Neural Interfaces 2025
📍 Arlington, Virginia, USA | June 12–14, 2025
2025 Neurotech Leaders Forum
📍 Location TBA | November 5–6, 2025
Society for Neuroscience 2025 Annual Meeting
📍 San Diego, California, USA | November 15–19, 2025
Maudsley Neurotechnology Conference 2025
📍 King's College London, UK | Dates TBA
Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems (NeurIPS) 2025
📍 San Diego, California, USA | December 2025
🎯 Community Challenge
Ready to take neurotech to the next level? Share your insights, projects, ideas, our upcoming list of NeuroHacks, or your own groundbreaking work—and watch the inspiration ripple across the community!
How to Participate
Create a Post
Show us what you’re working on—DIY projects, research breakthroughs, or even your latest neurotech musings.Use #NeuroCircuitChallenge
This helps your ideas reach fellow enthusiasts and potential collaborators.Tag The NeuroCircuit
We’ll be on the lookout for standout contributions to feature in our upcoming Innovator Spotlight!Mention @HackTheNeuron
Tag us directly in your post so we never miss your entry—and we’ll amplify your work across our entire NeuroCircuit community!
Why Join?
Boost Your Reach: Tap into a niche but fast-growing community for extra visibility.
Build Your Network: Connect with researchers, developers, and curious tinkerers who share your passion.
Shape Neurotech’s Future: Your project or insight could spark the next big breakthrough—or inspire someone else’s.
We can’t wait to see your creativity in action! Fire up X, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, and spread the word. Let’s spark innovation together!
🚀Recruit More Neurohackers
Your referrals are the engine that drives our community forward. Share your unique referral link with friends, colleagues, or fellow neurotech enthusiasts—and watch us grow together!
Spread the Word: Copy your personal referral link and post it on social, forums, or in emails.
Unlock Exclusive Perks: Every friend who subscribes through your link brings you closer to special rewards—insider insights, private Discord access, early project previews, and more.
Be the Catalyst: The more you share, the stronger our network becomes. Help us build the ultimate neurotech hub—one referral at a time!
✍️Help Us Improve
Your input is what will make The NeuroCircuit and Hack The Neuron better. Let us know what you’d like more of—and what we can do differently.
Share Your Ideas: Tell us which topics, features, or formats you’d love to see next.
Spot the Gaps: Let us know if anything’s missing or unclear in our content and community tools.
Shape the Experience: Whether it’s new challenges, tutorials, or platform features, your suggestions guide our roadmap.
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