- The NeuroCircuit
- Posts
- Weekly Signal 19 — Brain Models, Consciousness Probes & Neuro-Policy Shifts
Weekly Signal 19 — Brain Models, Consciousness Probes & Neuro-Policy Shifts
From lab breakthroughs to policy battles shaping neurotech’s future.
Ricardo Albornoz
August 09, 2025
Table of Contents
🧠 Weekly Signal
Neurotechnology News | Aug 1 – Aug 8, 2025
Let's cut through the noise this week!
From ultrasound-based brain research and a first-of-its-kind whole-brain organoid to a $10M neurotech investment and fresh calls for mental-privacy laws—science, industry, and ethics are moving in lockstep, shaping the future of neurotechnology across labs, boardrooms, and policy halls.
🧠 SCIENCE & CLINICAL TRIALS
🟢 Johns Hopkins Creates Multi-Region “Whole-Brain” Organoid
Published: August 1, 2025
Read more ➡️ Popular Mechanics / Johns Hopkins University Press Release
Researchers at Johns Hopkins grew a first-of-its-kind brain organoid containing tissues from all major brain regions and rudimentary blood vessels. Functionally, it behaves like a 40-day-old fetal brain, with electrically active, connected neural circuits.
💡 Big Picture: This model could transform how scientists study disorders affecting the whole brain, enabling better drug testing and more personalized therapies.
🟢 MIT & Openwater Launch Consciousness Study with Non-Invasive Ultrasound
MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory and Openwater have partnered to use Open-LIFU, a low-intensity focused ultrasound device, to study deep brain circuits without surgery. The goal is to better understand how consciousness arises and develop therapies for PTSD, depression, and chronic pain.
💡 Big Picture: This is a step toward safe, targeted modulation of deep brain activity—advancing both fundamental neuroscience and treatment options.
🟢 FDA Approves First Neurostimulator for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Published: August 8, 2025
Read more ➡️ US News / SetPoint Medical Press Release
The FDA approved SetPoint Medical’s vagus nerve stimulation device for severe rheumatoid arthritis. Implanted near the vagus nerve, it stimulates the anti-inflammatory reflex daily, reducing symptoms and disease activity in patients unresponsive to drugs.
💡 Big Picture: This milestone brings neuroimmune modulation into mainstream autoimmune treatment, signaling growing FDA acceptance of electroceuticals.
💼 INDUSTRY & STARTUPS
🟢 Neuralink Begins First UK Brain Implant Trial
Published: August 1, 2025
Read more ➡️ Reuters / University College London Hospitals Announcement
Neuralink, Elon Musk’s neurotech firm, has launched its first UK clinical study at UCLH and Newcastle Hospitals. The GB-PRIME trial will evaluate the safety and performance of the N1 wireless implant for enabling paralyzed patients to control devices with their thoughts.
💡 Big Picture: This marks Neuralink’s expansion of human trials outside the US, potentially accelerating regulatory pathways and adoption in Europe.
🟢 Longeviti Secures $10M and Appoints Former Stryker President as Chair
Published: Aug 7 2025
Read more ➡️ citybiz / Longeviti Press Release
Longeviti Neuro Solutions named former Stryker president Tim Scannell as board chair and secured a $10 million investment from Soleus Capital. The funding will support R&D, hiring, and medical-education initiatives for its implantable neurotechnology products.
💡 Big Picture: Combining experienced leadership with new capital positions Longeviti to accelerate innovation and expand access to advanced neurosurgical solutions.
🏛️ POLICY & ETHICS
🟢 China Unveils National BCI Roadmap for 2027
Published: August 7, 2025
Read more ➡️ South China Morning / China Daily
Seven Chinese ministries released guidelines to fast-track domestic breakthroughs in electrodes, chips, and integrated BCI systems, aiming for global leadership by 2030. The plan sets milestones for meeting “advanced international standards” and fostering influential neurotech companies.
💡 Big Picture: With state backing, China is positioning neurotechnology as a strategic industry, intensifying competition with the US and EU.
🟢 Canada Warned on Lack of Mental-Privacy Protections for Neurotech
Published: Aug 6 2025
Read more ➡️ Research Money
A policy analysis warns that Canada lacks regulations to protect neural data, even as consumer BCIs and brain-monitoring wearables enter workplaces and classrooms. The commentary calls for treating neural data as sensitive information, enhancing transparency, and aligning with UNESCO’s upcoming neurotech ethics framework.
💡 Big Picture: Without updated laws, Canadians risk having brain-activity data collected, analyzed, or sold without consent—raising urgent privacy and human-rights questions.
⚡ Weekly Signal Summary Table
Signal | Insight | Future Impact |
|---|---|---|
Johns Hopkins “Whole-Brain” Organoid | Multi-region brain model with active circuits | Enables better modeling of whole-brain disorders and personalized therapies |
MIT & Openwater Consciousness Study | Non-invasive ultrasound targeting deep brain circuits | Advances safe brain modulation for conditions like PTSD, depression, and chronic pain |
FDA Approves RA Neurostimulator | First neuroimmune therapy for rheumatoid arthritis | Opens door for electroceuticals in autoimmune care |
Neuralink UK Trial | First expansion of human BCI trials outside US | Could speed European regulatory approval and adoption |
Longeviti $10M Investment | New capital and leadership for implantable neurotech | Boosts R&D, hiring, and education for advanced neurosurgical solutions |
China’s 2027 BCI Roadmap | State-backed strategy for global BCI leadership | Escalates tech race with US and EU |
Canada Mental-Privacy Warning | Highlights absence of neural data protections | Could drive legislation safeguarding mental privacy and brain data |
🎯 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
Follow HackTheNeuron
Show us support by following us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok!
Create a Post
Show us what you’re working on—DIY projects, research breakthroughs, or even your latest neurotech musings.Use #Neurotech
This helps your ideas reach fellow enthusiasts and potential collaborators.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.
Reply