Weekly Signal: 22 | BCI Milestones & Mental Privacy

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🧠 Weekly Signal

Neurotechnology News | July 23–29 2025

Let's cut through the noise this week!

This week, we saw the first human implant of an adaptive brain–computer interface and personalized deep‑brain stimulation for Parkinson’s. Momentum in industry continued with a US $372.5 million financing for neuropsychiatric drugs. Meanwhile, U.S. states enacted neural‑data privacy laws. Bottom line: neurotech is moving from lab to clinic while ethics race to catch up.

🧠 SCIENCE & CLINICAL TRIALS

🟢 First human closed‑loop BCI implant

Published: July 29, 2025
Read more ➡️ MassDevice / CorTec

Neurosurgeons implanted CorTec’s fully implantable, 32‑electrode Brain Interchange brain‑computer interface in a stroke patient. The National Institutes of Health‑funded trial will test its real‑time recording and stimulation to improve motor recovery.

💡 Big Picture: Adaptive BCIs are entering clinical practice, potentially redefining stroke rehabilitation.

🟢 Personalized deep‑brain stimulation improves gait

Published: July 25, 2025
Read more ➡️ Knowridge / UCSF

Researchers used a bidirectional deep‑brain stimulator with machine‑learning to optimise stimulation for six people with Parkinson’s disease. A walking index showed better stride and arm swing when beta‑band activity fell, indicating personalised stimulation enhances gait without worsening other symptoms.

💡 Big Picture: Adaptive neuromodulation could expand deep‑brain stimulation from tremor control to broader mobility improvements.

🟢 Confirmatory Phase 3 trial for masitinib in ALS

Published: July 24, 2025
Read more ➡️ ALS News Today / AB Science

AB Science secured U.S. and EU authorizations for a 48‑week, randomized trial enrolling 408 ALS patients with moderate disease progression. The study will test 4.5 mg/kg/day masitinib plus riluzole versus placebo to confirm efficacy and safety.

💡 Big Picture: Success could deliver a long‑awaited additional therapy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

🟢 Intranasal insulin reaches memory‑related regions

Published: July 23, 2025
Read more ➡️ Technology Networks 

Researchers used positron emission tomography to show that insulin delivered via nasal spray reached 11 memory‑related brain regions in 26 adults. Cognitively normal participants absorbed more than those with mild cognitive impairment, and only mild headaches were reported.

💡 Big Picture: The study supports non‑invasive drug delivery to the brain, promising for future Alzheimer’s therapies.

🟢 iBCI review reveals limited clinical reporting

Published: July 25, 2025
Read more ➡️ EurekAlert / Advances Science

A review of 112 implantable brain–computer interface studies found only 17.9 % reported clinical outcomes, with most focusing on device performance. The authors built a global registry and urged trials to measure functional improvements and quality of life.

💡 Big Picture: To translate BCIs into therapy, future studies must prioritise patient‑centred outcomes.

💼 INDUSTRY & STARTUPS

🟢 MapLight raises $372.5 M Series D

Published: July 28, 2025
Read more ➡️ Pulse 2.0 / MapLight Therapeutics

MapLight Therapeutics closed a US $372.5 million Series D co‑led by Forbion and Goldman Sachs Alternatives. Funding will advance its lead program through Phase 2 trials for schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s psychosis and expand its neuropsychiatric pipeline.

💡 Big Picture: Such capital demonstrates investor confidence in precision neuropsychiatric drugs and accelerates clinical programs.

🏛️ POLICY & ETHICS

🟢 States enact neural‑data privacy laws

Published: July 23, 2025
Read more ➡️ KFF Health News / Colorado HB 24-1058

Colorado, California and Montana amended privacy laws to classify neural data from consumer devices as sensitive and require consent before collection or sharing. Lawmakers warned that neurotechnology and artificial intelligence could reveal mental and emotional states if unregulated.

💡 Big Picture: These state laws pioneer mental‑privacy protections and may influence federal regulation of consumer neurotechnology.

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