Datasea secured FDA registration for its acoustic BCI biofeedback system, Ottobock expanded its neuro-orthotics footprint by acquiring a Spanish FES company, BrainsWay backs Radial Health with a strategic investment, and SoundHealth raised $12.25M to scale its AI-enabled breathing and sleep platform. Low-intensity focused ultrasound kept climbing, with Grey Matter Neurosciences naming treatment-resistant depression its first clinical focus.

This issue’s case study spotlight features Attune Neurosciences, a California-based company pairing focused ultrasound with Adaptyx Biosciences’ wearable biomarker sensors in an ARPA-H-backed effort to give chronic pain an objective, measurable signature.

⚡️ Neurotech Newsflash

• Datasea secures FDA registration for its NeuroVibe Acoustic BCI Biofeedback System: Datasea has received FDA registration and device listing for NeuroVibe as a Class II, 510(k)-exempt biofeedback device. The system uses acoustic stimulation to drive a biofeedback loop rather than an implant or drug, positioning it as a low-friction entry point for at-home neuromodulation. The listing clears the way for broader commercial distribution in the U.S. (Read more)

• Ottobock acquires a Spanish FES company to expand its neuro-orthotics business: Ottobock has continued its strategic build-out of neuro-orthotics with the acquisition of a Spain-based functional electrical stimulation company, Fesia Technology. The deal folds FES-driven gait and mobility support into Ottobock’s existing prosthetics and orthotics portfolio. It signals continued consolidation as larger med-tech players buy their way into neuromodulation rather than build from scratch. (Read more)

• Neurolief expands veterans’ access to prescription neuromodulation through new VA contract: Neurolief has signed a new VA contract extending prescription neuromodulation access to veterans managing migraine and depression. The agreement builds on the company’s existing footprint in headache and mood-disorder treatment through non-invasive stimulation. Wider VA distribution gives Neurolief a stable, recurring channel outside commercial insurance negotiations. (Read more)

• Grey Matter Neurosciences names treatment-resistant depression its first clinical focus & opens a patient registry: Grey Matter Neurosciences has designated treatment-resistant depression as the inaugural clinical focus for its non-invasive focused ultrasound platform, built on technology developed by Dr. Kullervo Hynynen’s team at Sunnybrook Research Institute. The device is designed to target multiple deep brain structures without surgery, implants, or even shaving the patient’s head. A pilot study aimed at seniors and adults with treatment-resistant depression is slated to begin in early 2027. (Read more)

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  💰 Notable Funding

• SoundHealth raises $12.25M to accelerate its AI-enabled non-invasive breathing and sleep devices: The round will support scaling of SoundHealth’s FDA-cleared acoustic platform, expansion of its craniofacial data set, and continued clinical development for sleep and breathing disorders. (Read more)

• Kantoko raises $3.5M to expand its ADHD assessment and treatment platform: The seed funding will go toward broadening Kantoko’s assessment tools and treatment pathway for ADHD, adding to a small but active field of digital-first neurodevelopmental care platforms. (Read more)

• BrainsWay makes $3M strategic investment in Radial Health: BrainsWay is backing Radial Health with a strategic investment, extending its TMS-centric business into adjacent neuromodulation territory rather than relying solely on organic device sales. (Read more)

• Adaptyx Biosciences and Attune Neurosciences launch $4M ARPA-H-backed study to find an objective biomarker for chronic pain: The 24-month EVIDENT program grant funds a 100-patient study, with an emphasis on U.S. military veterans, combining Adaptyx’s multi-analyte wearable sensor with Attune’s investigational focused ultrasound treatment. (Read more)

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🧠 Neurotech Trends

• Low-intensity focused ultrasound is emerging as a multi-indication neuromodulation platform: Beyond Attune’s chronic pain work, LIFU is now being studied for addiction, epilepsy, and pre-neuromodulation targeting. The common thread is a non-invasive route into circuits previously reachable only by implant. As more sham-controlled trial data accumulates, LIFU is shifting from a research curiosity to a credible commercial category. (Read more)

• TMS providers are reporting reimbursement-driven revenue growth and physical expansion: BrainsWay posted record Q2 2026 revenue, up 35% year-over-year, while Greenbrook opened its largest-ever interventional psychiatry center in Rockville, Maryland. Growth in this cycle is coming less from novel indications and more from deeper penetration of existing reimbursement pathways. That maturation is a signal the category is becoming a durable line of business rather than a niche therapy. (Read more)

• California moves to regulate how neurotechnology companies handle brain data: State lawmakers are advancing rules that would extend existing biometric privacy protections to neural data collected by consumer and clinical devices. The move follows growing academic and industry debate over consent standards for implantable and wearable BCIs. If enacted, it would make California one of the first jurisdictions with neural-data-specific privacy law, likely shaping how other states approach the issue. (Read more)

• Consumer wearables and clinical biomarkers are converging into a single brain-health data layer: Samsung partnered with Neuroscape to study cognitive change across the lifespan using consumer-grade wearables, while Imec unveiled a neuromorphic compressive telemetry chip built to handle the exploding data volume from multi-channel neural recordings. The pattern points toward a future where everyday wearables, not just clinical-grade implants, generate longitudinal brain and sensory data at scale. (Read more)

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📘 Neurotech Article

• Local field potentials help pinpoint optimal DBS targets for centromedian thalamic stimulation in epilepsy: A study in Frontiers in Neuroscience used local field potential recordings to refine electrode targeting for centromedian deep brain stimulation in epilepsy patients. The approach lets clinicians tune stimulation location using the brain’s own electrical signals rather than anatomy alone. Better targeting could improve seizure control while reducing the trial-and-error period after implantation. (Read more)

• New voltage-imaging technique captures neural activity across the entire brain of larval zebrafish: Published in Nature Methods, the technique allows researchers to record voltage-level neural activity simultaneously across a whole intact brain rather than isolated regions. It offers a rare whole-organism view of how activity propagates during behavior. The method could inform future brain-wide computational models relevant to neurotech’s push toward brain foundation models. (Read more)

• Patients with treatment-refractory depression weigh in on what matters in next-generation implant design: A study in the Journal of Neural Engineering surveyed individuals with treatment-resistant depression on their priorities for implanted neurotechnology, covering everything from battery life to control over data sharing. Reversibility and predictable, explainable device behavior ranked above raw efficacy for many respondents. The findings are a reminder that device design choices carry as much weight with patients as clinical performance. (Read more)

• New consent framework proposed to unify standards across implantable BCI trials: A paper in Device calls for a standardized consent framework specific to implantable brain-computer interfaces, arguing existing device-trial consent models don’t adequately address neural data risks. The proposal would standardize disclosures around data use, device removal, and long-term follow-up obligations. Broader adoption could reduce inconsistency across trial sites as more BCI implants move toward pivotal studies. (Read more)

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🌐 Neurotech Edu. and Events

1. International Functional Electrical Stimulation Society (IFESS) Conference 2026
   📅 Date: September 2 – 4, 2026 | 📍 Lecco, Italy
   Why Attend the Event? The annual gathering for clinicians, physiologists, and engineers working across functional electrical stimulation (FES), spanning gait restoration, respiratory function, and bladder control. Useful if you’re tracking how FES is moving from lab research into real assistive and rehabilitation devices, or want to connect with the people building them.
   Link to register: Register here

2. 10th Graz Brain-Computer Interface Conference 2026
   📅 Date: September 14 – 17, 2026 | 📍 Graz, Austria
   Why Attend the Event? One of the longest-running and most established BCI research conferences globally, affiliated with the International BCI Society. Includes the Cortical Peaks Challenge, making it a strong pick if you want to see where non-invasive BCI decoding benchmarks currently stand, or meet the academic labs setting the pace in the field.
   Link to register: Register here

3. NeurotechEU Blended Intensive Programme
   📅 Date: September 28, 2026 | 📍 Bonn, Germany
   Why Attend the Event? A hands-on academic training program run through the NeurotechEU university consortium, covering the intersection of neurotechnology, neuroscience, and clinical applications. Useful if you're a student or early-career researcher looking for structured, credit-bearing training rather than an industry conference.
   Link to register: Register here

4. Bioelectronic Medicine Summit 2026
   📅 Date: September 28 – 29, 2026 | 📍 Manhattan, New York
   Why Attend the Event? A focused meeting on bioelectronic and focused ultrasound approaches to disease, hosted with the Focused Ultrasound Foundation. Worth attending if you’re following how non-invasive stimulation and biomarker-driven treatments are converging into a single therapeutic category, or want direct access to the researchers and companies driving it.
   Link to register: Register here

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   🎬Case Studies

   🎬 Case Study Spotlight: Attune Neurosciences- Giving Chronic Pain a Measurable Signature, One Sensor & One Sound Wave at a Time

   While much of neurotech’s chronic pain conversation still centers on implanted stimulators, Attune Neurosciences has built its platform around a non-surgical, non-pharmacological approach: focused ultrasound aimed at the brain circuits that process pain, paired with continuous biometric monitoring to prove it’s working.

   

Overview:

Attune Neurosciences develops an investigational focused ultrasound treatment designed to modulate the neural circuits involved in chronic pain without surgery, implants, or medication. In August 2026, the company partnered with Adaptyx Biosciences on a 24-month, $4 million study backed by ARPA-H’s EVIDENT program, aiming to enroll 100 adults with chronic pain, with an emphasis on U.S. military veterans.

Use Case Highlights:

• Objective Pain Measurement: Adaptyx’s multi-analyte wearable sensor reads five molecular biomarkers at once, including cortisol, lactate, and pain-associated small-molecule metabolites; continuously during and around treatment sessions.

• Non-Invasive Circuit Targeting: Attune’s focused ultrasound platform targets pain-processing brain circuits directly, without the surgical risk or long recovery associated with implanted neurostimulators.

• Multimodal Data Fusion: Wireless EEG and smartwatch data track sleep, activity, and neural signals alongside the molecular readouts, building a synchronized picture of how pain and its relief unfold over time.

• Veteran-Focused Deployment: The study’s emphasis on military veterans targets a population with high rates of treatment-resistant chronic pain and limited tolerance for opioid-based management.

Key Partnerships:

The Adaptyx-Attune collaboration is built directly on ARPA-H’s EVIDENT program funding, which underwrites the full 24-month, $4 million study rather than leaving it to venture financing alone. That federal backing gives the partnership runway to validate a biomarker-first approach to chronic pain; one that, if successful, could give focused ultrasound treatments something implanted stimulators still largely lack: an objective, continuously measured signal of whether the therapy is actually working.

Leadership Team:

Attune Neurosciences is led by CEO Rajiv Mahadevan, who brings prior experience from Amgen and Novo Nordisk. Co-founder Keith Murphy serves as Chief Technology Officer, overseeing the company's wearable ultrasound neuromodulation hardware; he trained in neuroscience and behavioral genetics at Scripps Research and Florida Atlantic University before a postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford studying the vagus nerve.
For more information, visit attuneneuro.com.

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• Miguel Nicolelis - the man who coined “brain-machine interface” decades before it was a pitch deck.

• Marcus Gerhardt - the business co-founder whose hardware still powers a chunk of the field’s own research.

• Rajesh P. N. Rao - the lab asking a stranger question than most BCI companies bother with.

• Xu Honglai - the company that reached commercial approval first, from a country most western coverage wasn’t watching.

🔬 Research & Academia

1. Miguel Nicolelis

Professor Emeritus of Neurobiology, Duke University

Before there was an industry connecting brain tissue to machines, someone had to argue a machine could listen to neurons closely enough to move a limb it had never been attached to, and give that idea a name. Nicolelis is widely credited as the originator of the term "brain-machine interface," using it more than a decade before it became a company name.

FIELDS OF WORK & EXPERTISE:

• Brain-machine interfaces

• Neural ensemble recording

• Sensorimotor neuroprosthetics

• Exoskeleton-based rehabilitation

• Brain-to-brain communication

EARLY CAREER & RECOGNITION:

• MD (1984) and PhD in Physiology (1988), University of São Paulo

• Postdoctoral training, Hahnemann University

• Duke faculty 1994–2021; Professor Emeritus of Neurobiology since 2021

• Founder, Duke Center for Neuroengineering; co-founded the Safra International Institute of Neuroscience of Natal, Brazil (2003)

• NIH Director’s Pioneer Award (2010); IEEE Daniel E. Noble Award (2017)

NOTABLE IMPACT FOR THE NEUROTECH WORLD:

Nicolelis’s lab spent decades proving that reading many neurons together, not one at a time, is what makes a working prosthetic possible; a premise nearly every BCI company still decodes by. His most public moment came at the 2014 World Cup opening, where a paraplegic patient used a mind-controlled exoskeleton built by his Walk Again Project, to make the ceremonial first kick; introducing “brain-machine interface” to a global audience years before it carried commercial weight.

His lab was also a training ground with reach into today’s industry: Max Hodak, later a Neuralink founding member and now founder of Science Corporation, worked in Nicolelis’s Duke lab as an undergraduate.

WHAT HE’S TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW:

• Why brain-to-brain communication is a serious research direction, not a novelty

• His skepticism of claims that the brain is fully computable

• What decades of rehabilitation data show about long-term neuroplasticity

• Whether commercial BCI companies are moving past ethical scrutiny too quickly

WHY THIS MATTERS?

Every company in this issue operates inside a conceptual frame Nicolelis built before any of them existed. His argument that the technology’s value is restoring what’s lost, not raw bandwidth is still the standard the field is measured against.

🔗 Dive deeper into his work: Linkedin | X | Duke Neurobiology profile

2. Rajesh P. N. Rao

Director, Center for Neurotechnology & Hwang Professor of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Washington

Most of BCI is still a one-directional problem, getting information out of one brain and into one machine. Rao's lab has spent over a decade on a stranger version: whether a machine can connect one brain directly to another.

FIELDS OF WORK & EXPERTISE:

• Computational neuroscience

• Brain-to-brain interfaces

• Predictive coding

• AI-driven neural decoding

• Brain co-processors

EARLY CAREER & RECOGNITION:

• PhD in Computer Science, University of Rochester (1998)

• Alfred P.Sloan Postdoctoral Fellow, Salk Institute

• Recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Fulbright Scholar award, an NSF CAREER award, an ONR Young Investigator Award

• Co-proposed the predictive coding model of brain function with Dana Ballard (Nature Neuroscience, 1999)

• Author, “Brain-Computer Interfacing: An Introduction” (Cambridge University Press)

• Created the first MOOC in computational neuroscience, running on Coursera since 2013

NOTABLE IMPACT FOR THE NEUROTECH WORLD:

In 2013, Rao’s team ran the first direct human brain-to-brain interface, sending a motor-imagery signal from one researcher’s EEG cap, over the internet, to a TMS device that moved a second researcher’s finger. By 2019, that became BrainNet: three subjects collaborating on a Tetris-like task using only EEG and magnetic stimulation.

His current focus, brain co-processors, treats AI as a partner inside the decoding loop, reading and writing to the brain in a closed cycle, rather than just recording for offline analysis.

WHAT HE’S TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW:

• Whether brain-to-brain communication has near-term application beyond proof of concept

• How AI co-processors combine decoding and encoding in one closed loop

• What predictive coding implies for how the brain responds to an artificial device

• Where non-invasive interfaces still have headroom against invasive ones

WHY THIS MATTERS?

While most companies compete on electrode count and surgical footprint, Rao’s lab is asking what comes after basic sensorimotor restoration is solved ; one of few research threads that isn’t just a faster version of what already exists.

🔗 Dive deeper into his work: Linkedin | X | UW Center for Neurotechnology

🏢 Business & Industry

3. Marcus Gerhardt

Co-Founder & CEO, Blackrock Neurotech

Most invasive BCI trials running today, BrainGate included, depend on hardware built by a company most patients have never heard of. Gerhardt co-founded it, not as a scientist, but as a serial entrepreneur paired with a University of Utah engineering professor, a structural pattern that recurs across this field's founding stories.

FIELDS OF WORK & EXPERTISE:

• BCI hardware commercialization

• Medical device strategy

• Manufacturing scale-up

EARLY CAREER & RECOGNITION:

• MPhil, University of Oxford; MA, University of St.Andrews

• Co-founded Mondus (1999); founded BBI, a tech commercialization advisory

• Co-founded Blackrock Neurotech in 2008 with Florian Solzbacher, Professor and Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Utah

NOTABLE IMPACT FOR THE NEUROTECH WORLD:

Blackrock’s Utah Array, invented at the University of Utah and acquired via the company’s purchase of Cyberkinetics, is close to a default sensor for invasive BCI research, over 30,000 combined in-patient days with no serious adverse event reported. It underlies the BrainGate consortium’s trials, including Cathy Hutchinson feeding herself for the first time in 15 years and Matt Nagle controlling a robotic hand.

Gerhardt’s role is the business one: turning a university lab’s research-grade array into a manufactured product other labs and companies build on. Blackrock’s own MoveAgain BCI system runs on that same infrastructure.

WHAT HE’S TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW:

• Positioning Blackrock as infrastructure for the field, not a single-product company

• Supporting third-party academic research on hardware Blackrock also sells commercially

• Scaling manufacturing without compromising a decades-long safety record

• What sustained capital (including a 2024 Tether investment) means for a company that predates most competitors

WHY THIS MATTERS?

Much of the field’s clinical evidence base runs on hardware neither invented nor commercialized by a neuroscientist. Gerhardt is BCI’s clearest example of the business co-founder as infrastructure builder, not just capital-raiser.

🔗 Dive deeper into his work: LinkedIn | X | blackrockneurotech.com

4. Xu Honglai

Founder & Chairman, Neuracle Technology

The first invasive BCI to win full commercial approval wasn't Neuralink's, Synchron's, or Precision's. It was Neuracle's NEO, a Shanghai-built implant that sits epidurally, above the dura mater, and never touches brain tissue at all.

FIELDS OF WORK & EXPERTISE:

• Invasive and non-invasive BCI hardware

• Epidural neural interfaces

• China regulatory strategy

EARLY CAREER & RECOGNITION:

• PhD in Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua University; studied in Tsinghua’s Neural Engineering Laboratory

• Founded Neuracle Technology in 2011 with fellow Tsinghua graduate Huang Xiaoshan, initially as a research-grade EEG equipment supplier to institutions including the Chinese Academy of Sciences

• Chairman and General Manager, Neuracle Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

NOTABLE IMPACT FOR THE NEUROTECH WORLD:

On March 13, 2026, China’s NMPA approved Neuracle’s NEO system, the first invasive BCI anywhere cleared for commercial use, ahead of Neuralink, Synchron, and Precision Neuroscience. NEO is a coin-sized, wireless implant placed epidurally, restoring partial hand-grasping function for spinal cord injury patients aged 18–60. Within 48 hours, China’s health insurance system had assigned it a reimbursement code — and days later, China’s latest five-year plan named BCI a national development priority.

Neuracle is now pursuing a Shanghai STAR Market IPO, seeking roughly $370 million, potentially the world’s first publicly listed BCI company. Its 2025 revenue came entirely from non-invasive EEG products; the implant that made headlines had generated none.

WHAT HE’S TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW:

• Positioning epidural placement as lower-risk than intracortical devices, clinically and regulatorily

• Scaling NEO from spinal cord injury toward a broader implant platform

• Navigating China’s newly expedited biomedical regulatory pathway

• Converting a regulatory first into a reimbursed, revenue-generating product ahead of an IPO

WHY THIS MATTERS?

Whether NEO is a genuine technical lead or a different regulatory bargain is still being argued. What isn’t in dispute: the first invasive BCI to reach patients commercially did so in Shanghai, years ahead of the companies that had spent the most time chasing that milestone.

🔗 Dive deeper into his work: LinkedIn | neuracle.cn

None of these four set out to answer the same question, but each one left something the others quietly depend on. Nicolelis's decades-old argument about what a prosthetic owes a patient still shapes how newer companies justify their designs. Gerhardt's hardware sits underneath research he'll never run himself. Rao's lab is testing a question the current generation of BCI companies hasn't had time to ask yet. And Neuracle's approval means the regulatory template competitors spent years building toward now has to account for a version that already exists. What holds the field together right now isn't a shared roadmap, it's how much every new company owes to work done somewhere else, years earlier.

🌟 Neurotech Pulse Spotlight: Faces Worth Knowing!

Behind every breakthrough, every funding round, and every bold idea in this space — there’s a person worth knowing. This is our curated spotlight on the individuals shaping neurotechnology, spanning founders and investors to neuroscientists and industry builders. Our selections are guided entirely by the significance of their work and their impact on the field. We hope you find it as rewarding to read as we do to put together.

Thanks for reading Neurotech Pulse! Subscribe for free to receive new posts.

VoxNeuro’s FDA clearance for its cfNI software, Amprion and Modality.AI’s diagnostic partnership, and Viz.ai’s move into neurodegenerative disease are the kind of unglamorous wins that quietly widen a device’s real-world reach. Meanwhile, a run of new research — on BCI recalibration, voice-synthesis decoding, and bioresorbable stimulation — is filling in the durability questions the big headlines skip.

This issue’s case Study features Cognito Therapeutics, the Cambridge, neurotech company using light-and-sound gamma stimulation to treat Alzheimer’s — fresh off new biomarker data presented at AAIC 2026.

⚡️ Neurotech Newsflash

• VoxNeuro receives FDA 510(k) clearance for cfNI software: The prescription-use software provides objective EEG/ERP-based cognitive assessment, comparing a patient's brain responses against a reference database of neurologically healthy adults. Designed to plug into existing and emerging EEG systems, it's aimed at giving neurology practices, TMS clinics, and primary care an objective, biomarker-based layer on top of standard cognitive assessments. (Read more)

• Cochlear introduces Osia 3 Sound Processor with FDA clearance (bone conduction hearing): The new processor is designed for people with conductive, mixed, or single-sided hearing loss who use Cochlear’s bone conduction implant system. It’s a smaller, more power-efficient successor built on the company’s existing Osia platform. (Read more)

• Amprion and Modality.AI partner on multimodal neurodegenerative disease assessment (digital biomarkers): The collaboration pairs Amprion’s synuclein seed amplification assay with Modality.AI’s conversational AI assessment platform. The goal is a combined biological-plus-behavioral read on disease progression rather than either signal alone. (Read more)

• Viz.ai expands into neurodegenerative disease via Cortechs.ai collaboration (AI imaging): Viz.ai, best known for its stroke-detection AI, is extending its care-coordination platform into neurodegenerative disease workflows using Cortechs.ai’s quantitative brain MRI analysis. The partnership targets faster referral and diagnostic pathways for dementia care teams. (Read more)

• Theranica’s Nerivio crosses coverage milestone, now reaching half of insured Americans (migraine wearable): The prescription migraine device has now secured payer coverage exceeding 50% of the US insured population. It’s a reimbursement threshold that matters more for adoption than any single clinical headline. (Read more)

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💰 Notable Funding

• Hemispheric raises $52M to build an EEG-based brain assessment platform (neurotech diagnostics): Founded by the inventor of Apple’s FaceID, Hemispheric emerged from stealth with the round to develop a lightweight EEG headset platform. The company’s first product, targeting PTSD assessment, is slated for FDA submission next year, and the team is also building proprietary brain scanners to generate richer data than traditional EEG. (Read more)

• Cork’s NeuroBell secures $5.5M to fund its US launch (psychiatric care technology): The Irish company will use the round to bring its psychiatric care platform into the US market, following its recent product launch. (Read more)

• Neuronostics raises $4.04M to advance its digital biomarker platform (epilepsy diagnostics): The UK-based company will use the funding to further develop its digital biomarker technology aimed at more objective, quantifiable epilepsy diagnosis and monitoring. (Read more)

• Fluent raises $2M for its Telepathic device to remove communication barriers for people with impaired speech (assistive BCI): Developed with University of Melbourne research, the device is described by its founders as building an AI-enabled third hemisphere to help restore functional communication for people who cannot speak. (Read more)

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🧠 Neurotech Trends

• Focused ultrasound investment posts a record first half of 2026: Industry trackers report the strongest six-month stretch for focused ultrasound investment on record, spanning both oncology and neuromodulation applications. The surge suggests investors increasingly view non-invasive ultrasound platforms as a maturing category rather than an experimental one, with implications for how neuromodulation capital gets allocated for the rest of the year. (Read more)

• Reimbursement pathways catch up to neuromodulation hardware: The American Medical Association approved two new CPT Category III codes for transcutaneous spinal stimulation, while a proposed 2027 CMS rule would give Neuspera’s integrated sacral neuromodulation system the same Medicare payment status as legacy implantable devices. Together they mark a broader shift: newer, less invasive neuromodulation formats are finally getting billing infrastructure built around them, which is often the real gate to adoption. (Read more)

• The next wave of BCI companies is building on, not around, the pioneers: A field survey argues that newer BCI entrants are increasingly designing around the surgical, regulatory, and manufacturing lessons of Neuralink, Synchron, and Blackrock rather than starting from scratch. That’s shortening development timelines but also concentrating risk around a handful of shared technical approaches. (Read more)

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  📘 Neurotech Article

1. Recalibration of implantable BCIs for long-term independent use — a systematic review (chronic BCI performance): The review surveys how implanted BCIs drift over months and years of independent, unsupervised use, and catalogs the recalibration strategies developed to keep decoding accuracy stable. It’s a rare synthesis of the unglamorous engineering problem that determines whether a BCI is a lab demo or a daily-use device. (Read more)

2. Brain2voice 2.0 pushes voice-synthesis BCI performance further (speech decoding): The preprint reports a new high-performance architecture for decoding intended speech directly into synthesized voice output. Gains come largely from architecture changes rather than new neural data, suggesting there’s still headroom in existing recording hardware. (Read more)

3. Bioadhesive patch enables ultrasound deep brain stimulation and real-time monitoring for sleep (bioresorbable interfaces): Researchers describe a skin-attached, bioresorbable patch that delivers ultrasound-based deep brain stimulation while simultaneously recording electrophysiological signals, tested for enhancing REM sleep. The self-powered, non-implanted design points toward a middle ground between wearables and surgical devices. (Read more)

4. Multifocal noninvasive deep brain stimulation improves cognition in mild cognitive impairment (neuromodulation for MCI): A randomized study found that multifocal, noninvasive DBS improved cognitive performance in patients with mild cognitive impairment, without the surgical risk of implanted electrodes. It adds to a growing body of evidence that noninvasive stimulation can meaningfully affect early-stage cognitive decline. (Read more)

5. Passive digital health technologies show promise for Alzheimer’s screening (early detection): A systematic review evaluates passive sensing tools — from smartphone use patterns to ambient monitoring — for detecting early Alzheimer’s signals without active patient testing. The approach could widen screening access well beyond clinic-based cognitive assessments. (Read more)

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🌐 Neurotech Edu. and Events

1. 2026 NYC Neuromodulation Conference
   📅 Date: July 30 – August 3, 2026 | 📍 City College of New York, NYC

   Why Attend the Event? The largest global meeting this year dedicated to brain interface science, pulling together researchers, clinicians, and technologists building the next generation of neuromodulation tools. Useful if you're tracking where closed-loop BCI and electrode technology are headed, or looking to network with the people building them.
   Link to register: Register here

2. Anthriq Fellowship 2026

   📅 EOI Deadline: July 31, 2026 | 📍Bengaluru, India

   Why apply? A research fellowship providing selected applicants direct access to research-grade neurotech hardware, aimed at researchers whose work has been constrained by equipment access and the right guidance.
   Link to Apply: Apply here

3. NYC Clinical and Research TMS Course

   📅 Date: August 3–4, 2026 | 📍 New York, NY
   Why Attend the Event? A hands-on certification course covering TMS administration protocols for both clinical practice and research settings — useful for clinicians and teams building out neuromodulation programs.

   Link to register: Register here

4. Neural Circuits in Health and Disease Conference 2026

   📅 August 17–19, 2026 | 📍 UC Irvine School of Medicine, Irvine, CA

   Why Attend the Event? An academic research conference on the circuit-level mechanisms underlying neurological and psychiatric disease — relevant grounding for anyone tracking the basic science behind next-generation neuromodulation targets.

   Link to register: Register here

5. University of Iowa Brain Workshop
   📅 Date: August 18–21, 2026 | 📍 Iowa City, IA

   Why Attend the Event? A student-focused, application-based workshop (resume, coursework list, statement of purpose required) — worth tracking as an early-career pipeline signal for who’s entering the neurotech research pool next.
   Link to register: Apply here

6. Summer Workshop on the Dynamic Brain 2026

   📅 August 23 – September 6, 2026 | 📍 Friday Harbor, WA (Allen Institute)

   Why Attend the Event? An intensive, hands-on workshop pairing computational modeling with experimental neuroscience training, aimed at graduate students and early-career researchers working on brain dynamics.

   Learn more about the event: Learn more

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🎬Case Studies

🎬 Case Study Spotlight: Cognito Therapeutics- How a Gamma-Wave Headset Is Turning Brain Rhythm Into an Alzheimer's Therapy

While most Alzheimer’s headlines this year have gone to anti-amyloid drugs, Cognito Therapeutics has spent the past decade pursuing a different theory of the disease — one centered on restoring the brain’s own gamma rhythm rather than clearing plaques. This month’s exploratory biomarker data at AAIC 2026 is the latest piece of evidence for that bet.

Overview:

Cognito Therapeutics is a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based neurotechnology company developing non-invasive, disease-modifying therapies for Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. Its lead platform, Spectris, delivers combined 40Hz auditory and visual sensory stimulation designed to evoke gamma-frequency brain activity — a rhythm that is disrupted in Alzheimer’s patients and linked to synaptic and myelin health.

Use Case Highlights:

• Cognitive Preservation: Evoking gamma-frequency brain activity through non-invasive light and sound stimulation to slow cognitive and functional decline in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease.

• Disease-Modifying Mechanism: Preserving myelin content and reducing white matter atrophy, targeting a structural driver of Alzheimer’s progression rather than only its downstream symptoms.

• Non-Pharmacological Alternative: Offering patients and clinicians a non-invasive, device-based option alongside anti-amyloid infusion therapies, backed by FDA Breakthrough Device Designation.

• Future Horizons: Building mechanistic evidence through the ongoing HOPE pivotal study, with an eye toward expanding beyond mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s into broader neurodegenerative indications.

Target Audience:

• Neurologists and dementia care specialists managing mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s patients

• Clinical researchers studying white matter and myelin as disease-modifying targets

• Payers and health systems evaluating non-pharmacological alternatives to anti-amyloid infusion therapies

Key Partnerships:

Cognito’s science originated at MIT, where scientific co-founders Li-Huei Tsai and Ed Boyden discovered that sensory-evoked gamma stimulation could slow Alzheimer’s-related neurodegeneration in preclinical models. The company closed an oversubscribed $105M Series C in March 2026, led by Morningside Ventures, IAG Capital Partners, and Starbloom Capital, to fund its push toward FDA submission and commercial launch. It has extended that momentum into a growing network of clinical collaborations — including brain health partnerships with the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute and Ochsner Health — alongside its ongoing HOPE pivotal study.

Leadership Team:

Cognito is led by CEO Christian Howell, with Ralph Kern, MD, serving as Chief Medical Officer overseeing clinical strategy, and Thomas Fagan as Executive Vice President of the Alzheimer’s Portfolio, responsible for commercialization readiness. Scientific founders Li-Huei Tsai and Ed Boyden remain closely tied to the company’s ongoing research direction.

For more information, visit cognitotx.com.

🌟 Neurotech Pulse Special Edition: Call for Contributions!

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• The lab. Back in 2012, a UC Berkeley team taught a rat to fire a single cortical neuron on command, well enough to work a robotic reward lever. That's the finding modern BCI training is built on — and the people who ran that lab now run BCI programs of their own.

• The founder. He argued in 2018 that a functional implant didn’t need to penetrate the cortex; in April 2025, the FDA cleared exactly that implant.

• The operator. In late 2024, a former Medtronic commercial operator — not a scientist — got a graphene interface into a human brain for the first time.

• The device. Born out of ten years of ear-computing research, this wearable keeps winning CES awards for something a lot less glamorous than a brain implant: helping people sleep.

Four different starting points. What connects them isn’t a shared answer, but a shared willingness to sit with the same unresolved question a little longer than everyone else did.

🔬 Research & Academia

Jose M. Carmena

Chancellor’s Professor of Electrical Engineering & Neuroscience, UC Berkeley

The question underneath every closed-loop BCI now in clinical trials: does the brain treat a prosthetic like a foreign tool it must be told how to operate, or like a limb it can learn to inhabit the way it learns any new motor skill? Carmena’s lab spent two decades building the evidence for the latter — and along the way trained a generation of researchers who now run BCI programs of their own.

FIELDS OF WORK & EXPERTISE:

Brain-machine interfaces · Neuroprosthetics · Sensorimotor learning and control · Neural ensemble computation · Corticostriatal plasticity · Closed-loop decoder adaptation

EARLY CAREER & RECOGNITION:

• B.E in Electrical Engineering

• M.S in Electrical Engineering, University of Valencia, Spain

• M.S in Artificial Intelligence and PhD in Robotics, University of Edinburgh (Scotland)

• Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Neurobiology and Center for Neuroengineering, Duke University

• Professor of Electrical Engineering and Neuroscience, UC Berkeley

• IEEE Fellow

• McKnight Technological Innovations in Neuroscience Award (2017), Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship (2009), Bakar Fellowship (2012), the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society Early Career Achievement Award (2011), the Aspen Brain Forum Prize in Neurotechnology (2010), the National Science Foundation CAREER Award (2010)

NOTABLE IMPACT FOR THE NEUROTECH WORLD:

His 2012 Nature paper (Koralek, Jin, Long, Costa, and Carmena) demonstrated that corticostriatal plasticity is necessary for learning intentional neuroprosthetic skills — meaning a subject doesn’t simply execute a decoder’s fixed mapping, it learns to control that mapping the way it would learn any new motor skill. That single finding reframed how the field designs training protocols for brain-machine interfaces, and it remains a live design question in every BCI clinical trial running today.

His lab’s later closed-loop decoder adaptation work, published in Neuron in 2014, showed that a decoder which adapts alongside the brain — rather than staying fixed — actively shapes neural plasticity itself. That result is a direct precursor to the adaptive recalibration methods now used to address the neural-drift problem in long-term BCI deployment.

Postdocs trained in his lab, including Karunesh Ganguly, carried this research program into their own labs — giving Carmena’s work an unusually direct line of descent into some of the most cited BCI research being published now.

WHAT HE’S TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW:

• Why neuroprosthetic control is a learned motor skill, not a fixed decoder mapping

• How closed-loop decoder adaptation should be designed to work with the brain’s own plasticity, not against it

• What two decades of corticostriatal plasticity research means for training protocols in commercial BCI systems

• The gap between academic BMI research and the training-protocol decisions being made inside clinical-stage BCI companies today

WHY THIS MATTERS?

Every clinical BCI company promising fast, reliable decoder calibration is operating downstream of questions Carmena’s lab spent two decades answering carefully. As commercial timelines compress the distance between “works in one patient” and “works reliably for thousands,” the basic-science question of how a brain actually learns to use a machine hasn’t gone away — it’s simply been inherited by people with far less time to get it right.

🔗 Dive deeper into his research and stay up to date with his work: Linkedin | UC Berkeley

🏢 Business & Industry

1. Carolina Aguilar

CEO & Co-Founder, INBRAIN Neuroelectronics

For thirteen years, the person deciding which neuromodulation products actually reached patients at Medtronic wasn’t a scientist. When she left to build her own neurotech company, she brought that same commercial instinct to a material that had, until recently, never left physics labs.

FIELDS OF WORK & EXPERTISE:

Graphene-based neural interfaces · BCI therapeutics (BCI-Tx) · Commercial scaling of neuromodulation · Regulatory strategy · Precision neurology

EARLY CAREER & RECOGNITION:

• Studied Pharmacy in Universidad Complutense de Madrid

• Masters in Neuroscience & Neurotoxicology, in Virginia Tech, US

• 13 years at Medtronic, including a decade leading the company’s global neuromodulation business (deep brain stimulation and diabetes), with a P&L of roughly $140M

• Co-founded INBRAIN Neuroelectronics in Barcelona alongside nanoscience researchers José A. Garrido, Kostas Kostarelos, and Antón Guimerà, spun out of the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2)

• World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer

• Named Best Chief Executive Officer by the European Investment Bank at the EIBG Summit for Women Leaders in Life Sciences (November 2025)

NOTABLE IMPACT FOR THE NEUROTECH WORLD:

INBRAIN completed the world’s first human application of a graphene-based BCI in September 2024 — implanted during a brain tumor resection at Salford Royal Hospital, Manchester, in a study backed by the University of Manchester and the EU’s Graphene Flagship. The graphene array, just 10–12 micrometers thick, distinguished healthy from cancerous tissue with a precision metal electrodes can’t structurally match.

The company also holds FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for its BCI-Tx platform in Parkinson’s, with Mayo Clinic and Microsoft as collaborators. Aguilar’s recurring argument: electrode count is the wrong metric — what matters is what fewer, better-placed contacts can do without spreading current into tissue that shouldn’t be touched.

She's also the unusual variable. INBRAIN's founders came out of nanoscience; Aguilar is a commercial operator, not a scientist — brought in to translate a new material into a regulated clinical product, which is exactly the kind of role this field has been short on.

WHAT SHE’S TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW:

• Why “implantable vs. non-implantable” is a more useful framing for BCI than “invasive vs. non-invasive”

• Moving graphene BCI from a single intraoperative use to chronic, long-term implantation

• Why electrode count is the wrong axis of competition in BCI — micrometric precision and clinical relevance matter more

• Building BCI-Tx as a multi-indication platform across Parkinson’s, epilepsy, and stroke

• Why regulation needs to keep pace with graphene BCI innovation rather than lag behind it

WHY THIS MATTERS?

As more neurotech companies raise money on the strength of a novel material or a single first-in-human milestone, INBRAIN is a live test case for what comes next: whether a genuinely new material like graphene can move from one intraoperative procedure to a chronic, reimbursable therapy — and whether a commercial operator, rather than a scientist, is the right person to run that translation.

🔗 Dive deeper into her work and stay up to date with INBRAIN: LinkedIn | X | inbrain-neuroelectronics.com

2. Benjamin Rapoport

Co-Founder & Chief Science Officer, Precision Neuroscience

Rapoport was one of Neuralink’s eight founding engineers in 2016. Two years later he left to pursue a different answer to a question the company was still working out: whether penetrating the cortex is a necessary cost of a working brain-computer interface, or one that better engineering could avoid.

FIELDS OF WORK & EXPERTISE:

Non-penetrating cortical interfaces · Minimally invasive neurosurgery · Neural decoding at scale · BCI regulatory strategy · Thin-film microelectrode array design

EARLY CAREER & RECOGNITION:

• MD, Harvard Medical School

• Residency, Neurological Surgery, New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell

• Founding team member, Neuralink (2016–2018)

• Co-Founder & Chief Science Officer, Precision Neuroscience, founded 2021 alongside CEO Michael Mager

• Faculty, Mount Sinai

NOTABLE IMPACT FOR THE NEUROTECH WORLD:

Precision’s Layer 7 Cortical Interface is a thin-film array of 1,024 microelectrodes — thinner than a human hair — placed on the brain’s surface through a sub-millimeter slit rather than a craniotomy. It doesn’t penetrate tissue, which was Rapoport’s founding argument.

In April 2025, the FDA cleared it for temporary implantation of up to 30 days — the first clearance granted to a next-generation wireless BCI. By then it had already been tested in 37 patients across three hospital systems, mostly during neurosurgical procedures.

The bigger story is the natural experiment underneath it: two founders left the same company with the same starting point and bet on opposite paths — one penetrating and permanent, one non-penetrating and temporary. Both are now in active clinical use, which means the market, not the science, is about to settle the argument.

WHAT HE’S TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW:

• Why neural decoding algorithms need the same volume of data other AI systems depend on — and why non-penetrating access is the safer way to get it at scale

• The tradeoff between electrode density and tissue safety in cortical interfaces

• Moving Layer 7 from a temporary, intraoperative tool toward a long-term implant

• What his founding disagreement inside Neuralink revealed about where BCI safety standards should actually sit

WHY THIS MATTERS?

Precision is the clearest live test of whether “less invasive” is a genuine commercial and regulatory advantage or just a slower path to the same destination. With FDA clearance now in hand, Rapoport’s original 2018 approach has something it didn’t have then: evidence.

🔗 Dive deeper into his work and stay up to date with Precision Neuroscience: Mount Sinai profile | precisionneuro.io | Linkedin

3. Tam Vu

Founder & Chairman, Earable Neuroscience

Most of the neurotech in this issue is built for a patient in a clinical trial. Vu’s is built for anyone having a bad night’s sleep — proof that the same underlying neuroscience can be aimed at a hospital or at a nightstand, depending on who’s asking and what they’re willing to wait for.

FIELDS OF WORK & EXPERTISE:

Consumer neurotech · Earable computing · Bone-conduction neurostimulation · EEG-based sleep and focus tracking · Wearable AI systems

EARLY CAREER & RECOGNITION:

• Pioneered the field of “Earable Computing” in 2015 — ear-based sensing and stimulation platforms

• Former Associate Professor, University of Colorado and Oxford University

• Thomas A. and Georgina Tugwell Russo 1977 Distinguished Professor of Computer Science, Dartmouth College

• Founded Earable Neuroscience in Boulder, Colorado (2018); served as CEO from 2018–2025, now Founder & Chairman

• Raised over $10M from Founders Fund, Smilegate Investment, 500 Global, and Samsung Ventures

NOTABLE IMPACT FOR THE NEUROTECH WORLD:

Earable’s FRENZ Brainband tracks and stimulates brain activity through bone-conduction speakers built into a headband, aimed initially at a single, unglamorous problem: helping people fall asleep faster. A clinical study published in Nature Scientific Reports found FRENZ reduced average sleep onset time by 24 minutes.

FRENZ has won CES Innovation Awards three years running — 2023 (Wearable Tech), 2024 (Accessibility & Aging Tech), and 2025 (Digital Health) — along with a Red Dot Design Award. That recognition sits in a different lane from the FDA milestones the rest of this issue chases, because Earable isn’t seeking regulatory clearance for a therapy — it’s competing for consumer attention and retail shelf space.

That distinction is the point. Most capital and press attention in neurotech goes to companies working through the FDA. Vu’s company is a working example of the other route to scale: skip the clinic, sell direct to consumers, and let real-world usage — Earable cites 10,000+ users across 40+ countries — build the evidence base instead of a pivotal trial.

WHAT HE’S TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW:

• Why consumer neurotech doesn’t need FDA clearance to reach meaningful scale

• Turning ear-based sensing from an academic research platform into a manufacturable consumer product

• Extending FRENZ from sleep into focus and cognitive performance, via its EEG-based Focus feature launched at CES 2025

• What a decade of academic earable-computing research looks like once it has to survive contact with mass manufacturing

WHY THIS MATTERS?

Every BCI company in this issue is negotiating with a regulator. Vu’s company is negotiating with a consumer market instead — and three consecutive CES wins are evidence that a meaningful slice of neurotech’s future doesn’t have to run through a hospital at all.

🔗 Dive deeper into his work and stay up to date with Earable Neuroscience: frenz.earable | Linkedin | X

Look closely and the pattern isn’t ambition — it’s friction. Carmena stayed with a question the rest of the field considered settled. Aguilar pushed a lab material somewhere it wasn’t supposed to go. Rapoport built a device that argued with his own company’s roadmap. Vu removed the hospital from the equation entirely.

Four different fields. Four different fights. None of them bet on a trend. They bet against a default. And each of those bets is now shipping.

🌟 Neurotech Pulse Spotlight: Faces Worth Knowing!

Behind every breakthrough, every funding round, and every bold idea in this space — there’s a person worth knowing. This is our curated spotlight on the individuals shaping neurotechnology, spanning founders and investors to neuroscientists and industry builders. Our selections are guided entirely by the significance of their work and their impact on the field. We hope you find it as rewarding to read as we do to put together.

Thanks for reading Neurotech Pulse! Subscribe for free to receive new posts.

Paradromics’ Connexus BCI implant, Wave Neuroscience’s FDA clearance for PTSD, Synchron’s advancing INTENT pivotal trial, and Flourish’s $500M raise at a $2.5B valuation headline a month where BCI platform companies are absorbing outsized investor attention. China’s Neuracle Technology also became the first company globally to win commercial approval for an invasive BCI.

This issue’s case Study features Paradromics — the Austin startup that just completed the first fully implantable, wireless BCI implant for speech restoration in a human patient.

⚡️ Neurotech Newsflash

• Paradromics completes first-in-human Connexus BCI implant (speech restoration): Neurosurgeons at University of Michigan Health implanted the Connexus wireless BCI — a 421-microelectrode cortical array connected to a subcutaneous chest transceiver — into a woman with motor neuron disease as part of the FDA-approved Connect-One Early Feasibility Study. The trial will evaluate long-term safety ahead of speech-decoding work. (Read more)

• Wave Neuroscience receives FDA clearance for MeRT PTSD protocol (precision neuromodulation): Wave’s MeRT system — the first personalized, biomarker-guided neuromodulation platform to clear this indication — uses each patient’s own EEG data to individualize TMS parameters. The clearance opens reimbursement discussions and VA system partnerships. (Read more)

• Synchron advances INTENT pivotal trial as BCI PMA race intensifies (endovascular BCI): Synchron’s third clinical program is moving toward enrollment, building on COMMAND’s clean 12-month safety record across six patients. A successful INTENT trial would position Synchron ahead of Neuralink and Precision Neuroscience for the first BCI PMA. (Read more)

• China’s Neuracle Technology receives commercial approval for NEO BCI (global BCI regulation): NEO, developed with Tsinghua University, became the first invasive BCI product globally approved for use outside clinical trials, available to spinal cord injury patients with paralysis. The approval predates any US company reaching PMA. (Read more)

• BrainGate consortium publishes intracortical typing neuroprosthesis reaching 22 WPM (speech decoding): Researchers from Brown University and Mass General Brigham published results of a high-performance typing BCI achieving 22 words per minute at 1.6% word error rate for patients with paralysis. (Read more)

💰 Notable Funding

• Flourish raises $500M at $2.5B valuation to build neuroAI chips and algorithms: Led by Jeff Bezos and founded by CTRL-Labs co-founder Thomas Reardon, the round places Flourish alongside Science Corp ($1.5B), Synchron (~$1B), and Merge Labs ($850M) in the neurotech valuation stack — all below Neuralink’s $9B. (Read more)

• GT Medical Technologies closes oversubscribed $100M Series E for brain tumor treatment: Proceeds advance commercial rollout of GammaTile, an implantable radiation therapy delivered directly to the surgical cavity following brain tumor removal. (Read more)

• Nyxoah prices $95M IPO to scale Genio hypoglossal nerve stimulation platform: The Belgian company will use proceeds to fund US commercial expansion of its leadless, bilateral nerve stimulator for obstructive sleep apnea. (Read more)

• CereVasc closes oversubscribed $85M Series C for eShunt hydrocephalus system: The round backs CereVasc’s minimally invasive eShunt platform targeting Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, a chronically underdiagnosed condition affecting an estimated 700,000 Americans. (Read more)

• ARPA-H launches REST program to fund restorative sleep neurotechnology: The new program solicits proposals for technologies that detect, modify, and improve sleep architecture; a parallel BRAINS Exploratory Topic seeks solutions for regrowing damaged brain regions, with a July 9 deadline. (Read more)

• Allen Institute launches $200M Brain Health Accelerator: The Seattle-based institute is expanding its open-science brain-atlasing work into a translational accelerator focused on converting brain maps into therapeutic targets. (Read more)

🧠 Neurotech Trends

• BCI valuations have crossed a new structural threshold as platform capital concentrates: With Flourish entering at $2.5B and cumulative disclosed BCI funding topping $2.2B across 12 months, BCIs now represent 76% of all neurotech capital despite comprising only 36% of deals. Founders raising sub-$50M rounds face a sharper differentiation bar than ever. (Read more)

• China’s NEO approval marks the first commercial BCI in history, reframing the global regulatory narrative: China’s NMPA approval of NEO for spinal cord injury — months ahead of any US PMA — is a policy signal as much as a clinical one, and is likely to surface in US FDA modernization debates and EU MDR discussions. (Read more)

• The neurotech market’s real center of gravity is still reimbursement, not hardware: The Inspire Medical 2026 guidance cut, driven by reimbursement friction rather than clinical failure, underscores that companies generating real revenue win through coding strategy and payer engagement, not device performance alone. (Read more)

📘 Neurotech Article

1. Adaptive deep brain stimulation for dynamic gait control in Parkinson’s disease: a randomized feasibility trial: UCSF researchers synchronized DBS stimulation amplitude to the gait cycle itself rather than slower global motor-state signals, using patient-specific neural biomarkers embedded in a bidirectional neurostimulator. In a double-blind, at-home crossover trial, gait-phase-synchronized aDBS significantly reduced falls and improved step symmetry compared with continuous stimulation. Published in Nature Medicine on June 15, 2026. (Read More)

2. Pre-stimulus brain states predict and control variability in stimulation responses: Analyzing more than 10,000 single-pulse stimulations across 36 epilepsy patients, researchers found that whole-brain pre-stimulus activity — particularly network synchronization and functional connectivity — reliably predicts how strongly the brain will respond to stimulation. Closed-loop systems that time stimulation to favorable brain states reduced response variability, pointing toward more reproducible neuromodulation protocols. Published in Brain Stimulation. (Read More)

3. Deep brain stimulation induces white matter remodeling and functional changes to brain-wide networks: In a nonhuman primate model, Mount Sinai researchers led by Helen Mayberg found that subcallosal cingulate DBS — the standard target for treatment-resistant depression — physically remodeled white matter integrity in the cingulum bundle and reorganized functional connectivity across brain-wide networks, weeks after stimulation began. It is the first direct evidence that DBS rewires brain structure rather than only modulating activity in the moment. (Read More)

4. Distributed control circuits across a brain-and-cord connectome: An international consortium published the first densely-reconstructed adult fly connectome that unites the brain and ventral nerve cord, mapping 10^8 synaptic connections. The analysis reveals that motor and visceral control is organized into local sensory-feedback loops linked by long-range ascending and descending neurons — an architecture the authors describe as distributed and parallelized, much like engineered control systems. (Read More)

🌐 Neurotech Edu. and Events

1. FENS Forum 2026
   📅 Date: July 6–10, 2026 | 📍 Barcelona, Spain

   Why Attend the Event? Europe’s largest international neuroscience congress, organized by FENS in partnership with the Spanish Society of Neuroscience (SENC). Covers all domains of neuroscience from basic to translational research, with plenary lectures, scientific symposia, technical workshops, and extensive networking opportunities for the global neuroscience community.

   Link to register: Register here

2. IEEE EMBC 2026

   📅 Date: July 26–30, 2026 | 📍 Toronto, Canada

   Why Attend the Event? The IEEE Engineering in Medicine & Biology Conference is one of the largest biomedical engineering conferences in the world, covering neural engineering, BCI, neuromodulation, and biomedical signal processing, with strong representation from both academic researchers and industry.

   Link to register: Register here

3. 2026 NYC Neuromodulation Conference

   📅 Date: July 30 – August 3, 2026 | 📍 New York, NY

   Why Attend the Event? A leading neuromodulation-focused meeting bringing together clinicians, engineers, and industry leaders to discuss the latest advances in DBS, spinal cord stimulation, peripheral nerve stimulation, and emerging neurotechnology platforms.

   Link to register: Register here

🎬Case Studies

🎬 Case Study Spotlight: Paradromics – Building the High-Bandwidth BCI for the Real World

While Neuralink dominates headlines and Synchron leads the minimally invasive narrative, Paradromics has quietly built one of the most technically rigorous implantable BCIs for communication in the field. The Connexus implant is the result of a decade of engineering discipline around a single principle: high-bandwidth neural recording, done wirelessly, done right.

Overview:

Paradromics’ Connexus deploys a 421-microelectrode cortical array directly on the motor cortex — far denser than most clinical BCIs — with signals transmitted to a subcutaneous chest transceiver, then broadcast through the skin to an external receiver. There are no percutaneous cables and no external hardware tethered to the head, addressing one of the most underappreciated failure modes in clinical BCI deployment: infection risk from external components. The system was designed for speech restoration from the ground up, targeting patients with severe motor neuron disease, ALS, and related conditions who have lost the ability to speak.

Use Case Highlights:

• Speech Restoration: Decoding attempted speech signals from motor cortex activity for patients with ALS and motor neuron disease.

• Communication Access: Restoring functional communication for fully or near-fully locked-in patients.

• Long-Term Safety: Establishing a percutaneous-free, infection-resistant architecture as the clinical standard for chronic implantation.

• Future Horizons: Expansion to additional enrollment sites and broader motor-impairment indications.

Target Audience:

• Neurosurgeons and clinical researchers managing ALS, motor neuron disease, and paralysis-related communication loss

• Neurotech investors and analysts tracking the BCI race toward FDA PMA

• Regulatory teams evaluating FDA IDE-to-PMA pathways for fully implantable devices

• Hospital systems and academic medical centers considering BCI trial site partnerships

Key Partnerships:

Paradromics is headquartered in Austin, Texas, founded in 2015 by CEO Matt Angle, Ph.D., with total funding of roughly $108M. The company’s anchor clinical site is University of Michigan Health, where the surgical team — led by Dr. Matthew Willsey and Dr. Aditya Pandey — first demonstrated safe temporary implantation in June 2025 as part of epilepsy research, de-risking the surgical approach ahead of the permanent implant.

The first-in-human permanent implant of Connexus was completed June 17, 2026, as part of the Connect-One Early Feasibility Study — the first FDA-approved early feasibility study for speech restoration with a fully implantable BCI. Initial trial focus is long-term safety, with speech-decoding work to follow. Additional enrollment sites are expected later this year.

Leadership Team:

Paradromics is led by Matt Angle, Ph.D. (Founder & CEO), who has built the company’s regulatory strategy around a focused patient population — ALS and motor neuron disease — rather than the broadest possible device label. The clinical team is anchored by Dr. Matthew Willsey, a neurosurgeon and biomedical engineer, and Dr. Aditya Pandey, Chair of Neurosurgery at University of Michigan Health.

For more information, visit paradromics.com.

🌟 Neurotech Pulse Special Edition: Call for Contributions!

Calling all researchers and writers! Want to showcase your work in our upcoming Neurotech Insights edition? Reach over 5,000+ neurotech enthusiasts by sharing your innovative research. Submit your details and work to collaboration@anthriq.com

❤️ Join us on Discord.

Thanks for reading Neurotech Pulse! Subscribe for free to receive new posts.

These are not obvious bets. Each of them represents a particular kind of resolve — the kind that shows up before the field agrees the problem is worth solving. This edition features a public market-maker, an early-stage category creator, a computational architect, and the person quietly building the editorial infrastructure the neurotech industry had been missing.

🔬 Research & Academia

1. Maryam Shanechi, PhD

Alexander A. Sawchuk Chair & Full Professor · USC Viterbi School of Engineering | Founding Director · USC Center for Neurotechnology

The engineer who asked what a BCI would need to do if it actually had to respond to the brain — not just read from it. Her lab is building the mathematical and computational frameworks that make closed-loop neurotechnology possible: systems that decode brain state in real time and adapt stimulation accordingly, without a clinician in the loop.

FIELDS OF WORK & EXPERTISE:

Closed-loop brain-computer interfaces · Neural decoding · State-space modeling · Deep learning for neural data · Adaptive deep brain stimulation · Neuropsychiatric BCI · Motor function restoration

EARLY CAREER & RECOGNITION:

• B.A.Sc. (Honours) Engineering Science — University of Toronto

• M.S & Ph.D. Electrical Engineering and Computer Science — MIT

• Postdoctoral Fellowship — Harvard Medical School

• Postdoctoral Fellowship — UC Berkeley

• Founding Director, USC Center for Neurotechnology

• NIH Director’s New Innovator Award

• NSF CAREER Award

• ONR Young Investigator Award

• Featured - MIT Technology Review TR35: World’s Top 35 Innovators Under 35

• Popular Science Brilliant 10, Science News SN10

• ASEE’s Curtis W. McGraw Research Award

• Blavatnik National Awards Finalist (2023, 2024)

• IEEE Fellow

NOTABLE IMPACT FOR THE NEUROTECH WORLD:

Most BCI research focuses on decoding — translating brain signals into commands. Shanechi’s lab works on something harder: building the algorithmic infrastructure that allows a BCI to close the loop, reading brain state and adjusting stimulation in real time, without requiring manual recalibration. Her DPAD framework, published on the cover of Nature Neuroscience in 2024, is a deep learning method for dynamical modeling of neural-behavioral data — separating the brain signals that actually drive behavior from those that don’t. That distinction matters enormously for BCIs that need to track mood, motor state, or pain reliably over time.

Her lab has produced closed-loop systems for both motor restoration and neuropsychiatric disorders, including work on decoding chronic pain from intracranial recordings and closed-loop deep brain stimulation for depression — two areas where the gap between a technically functioning device and a clinically useful one remains wide. The DoD awarded her a joint US-UK MURI grant to develop closed-loop multisensory BCIs for enhanced decision accuracy.

WHAT SHE’S TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW:

• Why decoding is only half the problem — and why closed-loop control is where clinical BCI gets decided

• The DPAD framework: separating behaviorally relevant neural dynamics from noise at scale

• What it means to decode mental states like mood and pain — not just motor intent — and why that changes BCI architecture entirely

• How adaptive neurostimulation for depression differs from DBS as currently practiced

WHY THIS MATTERS?

Next-generation BCIs will not be passive readers. They will need to sense brain state, interpret it accurately across time and across patients, and adjust stimulation accordingly — all without human intervention. Shanechi is building the theoretical and algorithmic foundation that makes that possible. Any company developing adaptive neuromodulation, closed-loop DBS, or BCI systems for psychiatric applications is operating in territory her lab has been mapping for over a decade.

🔗 Dive deeper — USC Profile | Lab Website | LinkedIn

🏢 Business & Industry

1. Bryan Johnson

Founder, Kernel

The entrepreneur who made neurotech a consumer conversation. His most consequential contribution to the field may not be a product — it’s an audience. Johnson built Braintree, sold it to PayPal for $800M, and then put $100M of that into Kernel, a company building non-invasive brain-scanning hardware at a time when the dominant view was that meaningful neural data required an implant.

FIELDS OF WORK & EXPERTISE:

Consumer neurotech · Non-invasive neuroimaging · Brain data accessibility · Longevity & cognitive health · Science communication · Venture capital

EARLY CAREER & RECOGNITION:

• BA, Brigham Young University

• MBA, The University of Chicago Booth School of Business

• Founded Braintree (2007), acquired by PayPal / eBay for $800M

• Founded OS Fund — investing in scientists pursuing breakthroughs in the operating system of life

• Invested $100M personal capital to found Kernel

• Kernel Flow: portable TD-fNIRS headset, largest fNIRS dataset to date

• Kernel Flux: wearable MEG system for high-fidelity electromagnetic brain recording

• Founded Blueprint — a public self-experimentation protocol for biological age reversal

NOTABLE IMPACT FOR THE NEUROTECH WORLD:

Kernel’s hardware — the Flow (TD-fNIRS) and Flux (wearable MEG) helmets — represents a serious engineering push to bring lab-grade brain recording outside the hospital and into clinical and research settings. The Flow produces the largest fNIRS dataset in existence. Johnson wore it during a ketamine trial conducted in partnership with Cybin, generating real-time imaging data on how psychedelics reorganise brain connectivity — the kind of experiment that simply wasn’t possible without portable, FDA-cleared neuroimaging hardware.

But the more durable impact is cultural. Johnson made brain health, brain data, and cognitive self-measurement legible to mainstream audiences who were not reading Nature Neuroscience. His Blueprint protocol — an intensively documented longevity and health optimisation regimen he runs on himself — has generated the kind of public attention around biological measurement and cognitive performance that accelerates the market for everything the field is building. Whatever you think of his methods, the audience he has assembled is real, and it is paying attention to brain health.

WHAT HE’S TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW:

• Why democratising brain data access is a prerequisite for any population-scale neuroscience

• What portable, non-invasive neuroimaging can reveal that implants cannot — and vice versa

• The relationship between longevity science, cognitive performance, and neural measurement

• Blueprint as a public protocol: what self-experimentation at scale produces that clinical trials don’t

WHY THIS MATTERS?

The BCI and neurotech field has a commercialization problem that is partly a perception problem. Johnson built a large public following for brain health, brain measurement, and cognitive science before most of the field had a consumer-facing voice. That changes the environment in which neurotech companies raise capital, recruit talent, and eventually market products.

🔗 Dive deeper — X / Twitter | LinkedIn | Kernel

2. Tetiana Aleksandrova

Founder & CEO · Subsense

The founder building a BCI that you inhale. Subsense’s approach — nanoparticles delivered through the nasal cavity, steered magnetically to targets inside the brain, used for both reading and stimulating neural activity — is either the most ambitious idea in neurotech or the most consequential one. It emerged from stealth in February 2025 with $17M, and has since raised an additional $10M in seed extension. It is the most discussed early-stage BCI company in the field for a reason.

FIELDS OF WORK & EXPERTISE:

Non-surgical BCI · Nanoparticle-based neural interfaces · Bidirectional brain-computer interfacing · Neurological disease therapeutics · Deep-tech entrepreneurship

EARLY CAREER & RECOGNITION:

• Deep-tech entrepreneur with a decade working on neural interfaces and brain health

• Co-founded Neiry — raised around $8M for neurocognitive training devices; led international expansion

• Co-founded Subsense with Artem Sokolov

• 2025 MedTech Breakthrough Award — Best New Technology Solution, Neurology

• Recognized at the Pinnacle Awards as the Breakthrough Medical Device Winner, Healthcare

• Featured in Forbes, Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Axios, Endpoints

• One of the few women founders leading a company at the frontier of invasive-adjacent neurotechnology

NOTABLE IMPACT FOR THE NEUROTECH WORLD:

Subsense’s technology uses two distinct types of nanoparticles. The first — plasmonic nanoparticles — are used for neural reading, transducing light signals from brain activity. The second type handles stimulation. Both are delivered through the nasal cavity, travel to the olfactory bulb, and are then steered magnetically to their target locations within the brain.

The combined system pairs with an external wearable headset. No craniotomy. No general anaesthesia. No electrode array.

Aleksandrova frames the platform as foundational infrastructure — a substrate on which other companies and applications can be built, rather than a single product. Initial clinical targets include Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, epilepsy, and depression. Research partners at UC Santa Cruz describe the system-on-a-nanoparticle approach as capable of greatly enhancing the precision of neural communication relative to existing electrode-based methods.

WHAT SHE’S TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW:

• Why the lack of effective non-surgical approaches has been the single biggest constraint on BCI accessibility

• How two distinct nanoparticle types — one for reading, one for stimulation — function without interfering with each other

• The roadmap from neurological disease therapeutics to broader human-technology integration

• Why Subsense is designed as a platform, not a single product — and what that means for the field

WHY THIS MATTERS?

If Subsense’s nanoparticle approach clears safety and biocompatibility review, it would represent the most significant leap in BCI accessibility since the endovascular approach Synchron pioneered. The addressable population for a non-surgical BCI is orders of magnitude larger than for any implant-based system. This is the company to track for anyone asking where the access problem in neurotech gets solved.

🔗 Dive deeper — LinkedIn | Subsense

📡 Field Intelligence: The Analysts & Operators Who Map the Terrain

1. Dominic Borkelmans

Founder & Editor-in-Chief · Neurofounders

The analyst who decided the field deserved better coverage — and built it. Neurofounders has become the most consistently rigorous independent editorial source on early-stage neurotech companies: founder profiles, company databases, clinical and regulatory tracking, and commercial intelligence for professionals navigating the space. If you want to understand what is actually happening in neurotech beyond press releases, this is where serious operators go first.

FIELDS OF FOCUS & EXPERTISE:

Early-stage neurotech company analysis · Clinical and regulatory translation · Founder profiling · Commercial intelligence · Industry mapping · BCI, neuromodulation, consumer neurotech, neural computing

BACKGROUND & RECOGNITION:

• Msc, Neuroscience - King’s College London

• A full-time writer and analyst across healthcare markets

• Founded Neurofounders to fill the absence of a single, rigorous, independent source covering the neurotech industry

NOTABLE IMPACT FOR THE NEUROTECH FIELD:

Neurofounders covers neurotech the way the industry needed to be covered: from the inside, with genuine understanding of how clinical translation actually works, what regulatory milestones mean, and what early-stage companies genuinely need to survive long enough to matter. Borkelmans’s founder interview series has produced some of the most substantive long-form profiles of early-stage neurotech founders available anywhere. The company database maps the landscape across incumbent platforms, protocol-driven challengers, home-use devices, and experimental approaches.

WHAT HE’S TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW:

• Where commercial momentum is actually showing up in neurotech — beyond the fundraising headlines

• Why clinical differentiation is poorly understood by most people writing about the space

• The growing gap between what companies say publicly and what their clinical and regulatory positions actually indicate

• How to read neurotech’s commercial landscape across BCI, neuromodulation, consumer devices, and neural computing simultaneously

WHY THIS MATTERS?

For any researcher, investor, or founder trying to understand the neurotech field as it actually is — not as it presents itself — Neurofounders is required reading. The field has lacked serious, independent, non-promotional editorial infrastructure. Borkelmans is building it.

🔗 Dive deeper — LinkedIn | Neurofounders

Every field has its visible wins — the funded round, the cleared device, the cited paper. What's harder to see, and more consequential, is the infrastructure that makes those wins possible: the algorithms that turn a decoder into a responsive system, the access model that opens BCIs to populations implants can never reach, the hardware that brings the lab outside the hospital, the editorial lens that tells you what the numbers actually mean. That's what this issue is about — the people building what the field needed before it knew to ask for it.

The neurotech decade is being won by people who identify the right constraint, stay with it, and build something the field cannot ignore.

🌟 Neurotech Pulse Spotlight: Faces Worth Knowing!

Behind every breakthrough, every funding round, and every bold idea in this space — there’s a person worth knowing. This is our curated spotlight on the individuals shaping neurotechnology, spanning founders and investors to neuroscientists and industry builders. Our selections are guided entirely by the significance of their work and their impact on the field. We hope you find it as rewarding to read as we do to put together.

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⚡️Neurotech Newsflash

• Mobia Medical lists on Nasdaq in $150M IPO (stroke recovery neuromodulation): The company's Vivistim Paired Vagus Nerve Stimulation System — the first FDA-approved VNS device for chronic ischemic stroke — priced at $15/share on May 7 and began trading May 8 under MOBI. Roughly $93.5M of proceeds will expand the direct sales force targeting 1M+ eligible US stroke survivors. (Read more)

• MintNeuro and Motif Neurotech partner to miniaturize therapeutic BCI implants (mental health neuromodulation): The May 1 partnership combines MintNeuro’s low-power neural semiconductors with Motif’s clinical-stage implant platform under a multi-year chip supply deal, targeting smaller, lower-power BCIs for psychiatric conditions. (Read more)

• Cortec demonstrates first-in-human fully implantable BCI for stroke hand function (motor restoration): At INS 2026, Cortec presented data from the first human use of its fully implantable subdural cortical stimulation system, showing meaningful hand-function improvements in chronic stroke patients using simultaneous recording and stimulation. (Read More)

• Neuralink receives sovereign investment from Oman Investment Authority (BCI expansion): Oman’s OIA disclosed a strategic stake in Neuralink as part of its deep-tech diversification strategy. As of January 2026, Neuralink had implanted devices in 21 patients, with Musk targeting 1,000 procedures by year-end. (Read more)

• Neurosoft Bioelectronics closes oversubscribed $7.5M seed for soft BCI platform (clinical-stage implants): Led by Skybound Venture Capital, the May 20 round brings total funding to $20M+. Neurosoft’s stretchable electrode arrays minimize tissue response by flexing with the brain’s surface, with active trials in the US and Europe. (Read more)

• Epineuron Receives FDA 510(k) Clearance for Evala® Nerve Stimulator: Epineuron has received FDA 510(k) clearance for its Evala® Nerve Stimulator — a handheld bioelectronic device designed to help surgeons rapidly identify and evaluate nerves during surgery. The approval marks another step forward for peripheral nerve care and highlights the growing role of bioelectronic medicine in improving surgical precision and nerve regeneration outcomes. (Read More)

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💰Notable Funding

• BlueWind Medical raises $47.8M to commercialize its Revi bladder neuromodulation system: Revi is an implantable tibial nerve stimulator for overactive bladder requiring no external components. Proceeds fund US commercial expansion in a high-prevalence condition with limited existing options. (Read more)

• SonoMind raises €20M Series A for non-invasive focused ultrasound targeting treatment-resistant depression: The round funds clinical development of SonoMind’s transcranial focused ultrasound platform, which reaches deep brain circuits without surgery — targeting the ~30% of depression patients who don’t respond to first-line treatments. (Read more)

• Ampa raises ~$17M oversubscribed round to expand portable TMS platform for depression: Backed by Tim Ferriss (whose public endorsement amplified the raise), proceeds fund at-home and point-of-care rollout of Ampa’s fast-acting TMS device — a direct challenge to the clinic-only TMS model. (Read more)

• EBT Medical and NinaMED secure $13.75M to advance NiNA System for overactive bladder: The joint financing supports commercialization of the licensed NiNA tibial nerve modulation platform, signaling that bladder indications are now attracting multiple investors simultaneously alongside neurological targets. (Read more)

• Nexstim secures €5M from Eiffel and Brainlab to advance TMS navigation platform: Brainlab’s participation — from a company dominant in surgical navigation — suggests downstream interest in integrating TMS neuromodulation into surgical planning workflows. (Read More)

• Neurosoft Bioelectronics awarded Swiss federal grant alongside its seed round: The government grant supports Neurosoft’s ongoing clinical trials and R&D in Switzerland, a growing European neurotech funding hub, complementing its private capital raise. (Read more)

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  🧠 Neurotech Trends

• BCI funding reaches a new structural scale as sovereign and institutional capital enters the field: BCI companies raised ~$1.73B across 8 deals in the past 12 months — 76% of all neurotech capital by dollar value — with average deal size at $216M. OIA’s Neuralink investment joins prior sovereign backers from Qatar and UAE, signaling BCIs are becoming a geopolitical infrastructure bet, not just a venture category. (Read more)

• Mental health neuromodulation absorbs a disproportionate share of May 2026 capital, signaling a category shift: Over $100M in disclosed financing (SonoMind, Ampa, EBT/NinaMED, Nexstim) — excluding Mobia’s IPO — flowed into mental health or bladder neuromodulation in early May alone. Investors are backing depression, OAB, and anxiety targets with conviction previously reserved for paralysis and motor restoration. (Read more)

• Neuromodulation leads by deal count; BCIs dominate by capital — a bifurcated market structure is forming: Neuromodulation devices account for 45.5% of disclosed deals but a small fraction of dollars; BCIs took 76% of capital from just 8 deals. Founders building differentiated neuromodulation without a path to platform-scale BCI face a narrowing fundraising window. (Read more)

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📘 Neurotech Article

1. Foundation model decodes brain activity across individuals: Researchers introduced a large-scale neural foundation model trained on multimodal brain datasets to generalize across subjects and tasks, improving brain signal interpretation without heavy subject-specific calibration. The work could accelerate scalable BCIs and more adaptable neurotechnology systems. (Read More)

2. Blood biomarkers show promise for early Parkinson’s detection: A new study identified plasma biomarkers linked to early Parkinson’s progression and cognitive decline, strengthening the case for minimally invasive diagnostics before severe symptoms emerge. The findings could support earlier intervention and personalized treatment pathways. (Read More)

3. EEG signatures linked to depression severity and treatment response: Researchers found distinct electrophysiological patterns associated with depressive symptom severity and antidepressant response, reinforcing EEG’s potential as an objective biomarker in psychiatry. The study advances efforts toward precision mental health diagnostics. (Read More)

4. High-resolution brain mapping reveals new principles of neural organization: Scientists used large-scale neural recording and computational analysis to uncover previously hidden organizational patterns in the human brain, offering deeper insight into how cognition and behavior emerge from distributed neural networks. The findings may inform next-generation neurotechnologies and brain-inspired AI. (Read More)

🌐 Neurotech Edu. and Events

1. Active Implantable Medical Devices (AIMD) Workshop 2026
   📅 Date: June 4–5, 2026 | 📍 Delft, Netherlands
   Why Attend the Event? Focuses on next-generation implantable medical devices, bioelectronics, neural interfaces, and regulatory pathways shaping future neurotechnology innovation.
   Link to register: Register Here

2. Clinical TMS Society Annual Meeting 2026
   📅 Date: June 4–6, 2026 | 📍 Boston, Massachusetts
   Why Attend the Event? Brings together clinicians, researchers, and industry leaders exploring transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), neuromodulation therapies, and advancements in psychiatric and neurological care.
   Link to register: Register Here

3. Precision Neuroscience Conference 2026
   📅 Date: June 10–12, 2026 | 📍 Aarhus, Denmark
   Why Attend the Event? Highlights emerging research in precision neuroscience, neuroimaging, computational neuroscience, biomarkers, and data-driven approaches for personalized brain health.
   Link to register: Register here

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   🎬Case Studies

   🎬 Case Study Spotlight: Subsense – Delivering Brain-Computer Interfaces Without a Single Incision.
   What if the next brain-computer interface wasn’t implanted — it was inhaled? That is Subsense’s founding premise. While every other BCI company today either opens the skull or threads a catheter through a blood vessel, the Palo Alto startup is pursuing a radically different path: engineered nanoparticles, delivered via nasal spray, that cross the blood–brain barrier to both sense and stimulate neural activity. No incision. No implant.

Overview:

Subsense is developing the first nanoparticle-based, non-surgical bidirectional BCI. The system pairs two categories of engineered nanoparticles — plasmonic nanoparticles for signal sensing and magnetoelectric nanoparticles for stimulation — with specialized hardware and neural decoding software. Delivery is non-invasive: particles are administered via nasal spray and engineered to cross the blood–brain barrier, reaching target neural circuits without surgery. The company was co-founded by CEO Tetiana Aleksandrova and investor Artem Sokolov, and operates a dedicated neuroengineering laboratory in Palo Alto with academic partnerships at UC Santa Cruz and ETH Zurich.

Use Case Highlights:

• Neurodegeneration: Targeted stimulation and signal monitoring for Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, and epilepsy.

• Recovery & Rehabilitation: Stroke recovery, motor rehabilitation, and chronic pain management via non-invasive neural modulation.

• Mental Health: Depression treatment through circuit-level stimulation without surgical intervention.

• Future Horizons: Sensory restoration, inner-speech decoding, and direct AI-to-brain interfaces — the company’s longer-range “moonshot” targets.

Target Audience:

• Neurologists, movement disorder specialists, and rehabilitation clinicians managing Parkinson’s, epilepsy, stroke recovery, and chronic pain

• Neuroscience and biomedical researchers exploring non-invasive neural interface technologies and nanoparticle delivery mechanisms

• Medical device investors and venture capital firms tracking pre-clinical BCI platforms with large therapeutic TAMs

• Regulatory and clinical development teams evaluating novel non-surgical pathways to FDA and EMA approval

• Pharmaceutical and biotech companies exploring combination approaches that pair drug delivery with neural modulation.

Key Partnerships:

Subsense emerged from stealth in February 2025 with a $17M seed round led by Golden Falcon Capital, followed by a $10M extension in December 2025, bringing total funding to $27M. Golden Falcon has led every round to date — an unusually high-conviction signal at this pre-clinical stage. Academic validation partnerships with UC Santa Cruz and ETH Zurich are supporting early proof-of-concept work in nanoparticle delivery mechanisms and therapeutic applications.

Animal studies began in late 2025, with a proof-of-concept milestone targeted for late 2026: demonstrating reading, stimulation, and symptom treatment in mouse models of Parkinson’s or epilepsy. Pilot human clinical trials are projected for 2027. Biocompatibility and safety assessments are expected to complete by 2028, with regulatory submission to follow and approval targeted around 2031.

Leadership Team:

Subsense is led by Tetiana Aleksandrova (Co-Founder & CEO), a neurotech entrepreneur who has positioned the company at the intersection of materials science, neuroscience, and clinical translation. Co-founder Artem Sokolov, founder of Golden Falcon Capital, brings venture and strategic capital experience alongside deep conviction in the nanoparticle BCI thesis — having backed the company at every funding stage. The R&D team spans nanoparticle engineering, neural signal acquisition, machine learning, and regulatory strategy, with a dedicated Director of R&D Systems appointed in December 2025.

For more information, visit subsense-bci.com.

🌟 Neurotech Pulse Special Edition: Call for Contributions!

Calling all researchers and writers! Want to showcase your work in our upcoming Neurotech Insights edition? Reach over 5,000+ neurotech enthusiasts by sharing your innovative research. Submit your details and work to collaboration@anthriq.com

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🔬 Research & Academia

1. Karunesh Ganguly

Professor of Neurology · UCSF | Division Chief · SF VA Medical Center

The researcher who turned the BCI field’s most ignored problem — neural drift — into its most important solved one. His lab delivered a seven-month continuous robotic arm control record in 2025, not through new hardware, but through a new idea about how the brain changes over time.

FIELDS OF WORK & EXPERTISE:

Brain-Computer Interfaces · Neural drift & decoder stability · Motor learning · Sleep & consolidation · Stroke rehabilitation · Cortical oscillations

EARLY CAREER & RECOGNITION:

• BSc Chemistry, Stanford University

• MD + PhD Neuroscience, UC San Diego

• Neurology Residency, UCSF

• Postdoctoral Fellow, Carmena Laboratory, UC Berkeley

• Founding Member, Center for Neural Engineering and Prosthetics (UC Berkeley–UCSF)

• Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), 2013

NOTABLE IMPACT FOR THE NEUROTECH WORLD:

His AI model — published in Cell, March 2025 — learns the geometric structure of a patient’s motor representations and tracks how they shift over time, recalibrating continuously in the background. A tetraplegic patient controlled a robotic arm for seven continuous months without degradation. A field record achieved through a conceptual breakthrough, not a hardware one.

His decade of parallel work in Nature Neuroscience and Nature established that motor skill consolidation happens during sleep — not training sessions — now reshaping BCI protocol design globally. His 2018 Nature Medicine work on cortical oscillations in stroke recovery is the scientific foundation of Magnetic Tides, a Berkeley startup in active UCSF clinical trials, now being extended into major depressive disorder.

WHAT HE’S TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW:

• Why neural drift is not a calibration inconvenience — it’s the central unsolved problem of clinical BCI deployment

• How sleep and rest, not training sessions, drive the consolidation of BCI motor skills

• Extending low-frequency cortical oscillation research from stroke into psychiatric disorders

• What decoder stability must look like at month twelve, across fifty home-use patients.

WHY THIS MATTERS?

As Neuralink scales implant production and Synchron runs its pivotal trial, the drift problem grows more urgent — not less. The question of how a decoder remains accurate at month six across patients whose brains are actively reorganizing runs directly through Ganguly’s lab.

🔗 Dive deeper into his research and stay up to date with his work:

Linkedin | UCSF Profile | Google Scholar | Research Gate

2. Edward Chang

Chair, Neurological Surgery · UCSF

The neurosurgeon who gave a woman her voice back after eighteen years of silence — and then built the company to scale that capability. His lab produces the most granular functional maps of how the brain encodes speech, and in March 2025, those maps became a real-time voice synthesiser with under one second of latency.

FIELDS OF WORK & EXPERTISE:

Speech BCI · Cortical language mapping · Phoneme & prosody decoding · Neural prosthetics

EARLY CAREER & RECOGNITION:

• BA, Chemistry — Amherst College, UCSF Brain Tumor Center

• MD — University of California, San Francisco, UCSF Brain Tumor Center

• Neurosurgery Residency — UCSF

• Postdoctoral Fellowship, Cognitive Neurophysiology — UC Berkeley, UCSF

• Member, National Academy of Sciences — one of the two highest honours in American science

• Member, National Academy of Medicine

• Faculty, DOC 2026 programme

NOTABLE IMPACT FOR THE NEUROTECH WORLD:

In March 2025, a 47-year-old woman who had not spoken or produced a vocal sound for eighteen years — following a brainstem stroke — heard her own synthesised voice speak her intended words in real time, with under one second of latency. The paper ran in Nature Neuroscience. It was a clinical trial result, not a demonstration, built on over a decade of foundational mapping work most BCI labs were not doing because it was too slow and too uncertain.

Chang’s approach starts with the phonemes, syllables, prosodic patterns, and vocal tract movements — the building blocks of speech — before engineering a decoder. Precision Neuroscience is developing the thin-film electrode arrays to make this kind of high-resolution decoding viable at scale.

WHAT HE’S TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW:

• Why speech BCI has to be built on foundational neuroscience, not just engineering — and what that looks like in practice

• The path from single-digit patient trials to a scalable speech restoration therapy

• Thin-film electrode design constraints for large-scale cortical recording in human patients

WHY THIS MATTERS?

Speech restoration is likely to be the first BCI application to cross from clinical trial into something resembling a therapy. Chang built the neuroscientific foundation that makes it possible and the company designed to scale it.

🔗 Dive deeper into his research and stay up to date with his work:

X | UCSF Profile| Lab Website | Precision Neuroscience

🏢 Business & Industry

1. Thomas Oxley

Founder & CEO · Synchron

The interventional neurologist who asked why a BCI needs open-brain surgery at all — and spent twelve years turning that question into a pivotal FDA trial. Synchron’s Stentrode is delivered through the jugular vein in two hours, without a craniotomy. It is currently the furthest-advanced BCI in formal US regulatory engagement.

FIELDS OF WORK & EXPERTISE:

Endovascular BCI · Interventional neurology · Regulatory strategy · Neural decoding at scale · Human-computer interaction

EARLY CAREER & RECOGNITION:

• Bachelor of Medical Science, Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) — Monash University, Melbourne

• PhD in Neural Engineering — University of Melbourne

• Trained as an interventional neurologist — 1,600+ procedures performed

• Founded Synchron in 2012 - $145M+ raised; active US COMMAND pivotal trial

• 2018 Global Australian Advance Award Winner

• UNESCO Netexplo Award for Innovation

• Finalist, Congress of Neurological Surgeons Innovator of the Year

• Published in NEJM, The Lancet, and Nature journals; holds over 50 filed patents

NOTABLE IMPACT FOR THE NEUROTECH WORLD:

Oxley’s core insight — that the brain’s vascular network is a pre-existing highway for electronics — opened an entirely different regulatory and commercial pathway. The Stentrode is positioned in a blood vessel adjacent to the motor cortex, requiring no craniotomy and no general anaesthetic.

Synchron is now in the COMMAND pivotal trial, the furthest any BCI company has progressed in FDA regulatory engagement. The device integrates with Apple Vision Pro, iPhone, iPad, and Amazon Alexa, giving paralysed patients neural control of their digital environment. A partnership with NVIDIA adds AI-enabled neural decoding. His consistent argument — that regulatory position matters more than electrode count — is now being tested in real time against Neuralink’s high-volume production plans.

WHAT HE’S TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW:

• Why the company that reaches a pivotal trial first defines the commercial BCI category

• Endovascular access as a regulatory and surgical advantage — not a compromise

• Integrating AI-enabled decoding into clinical BCI systems via the NVIDIA partnership

• What home-use BCI looks like for paralysed patients managing their digital environments

WHY THIS MATTERS?

The BCI race is not a binary between Neuralink and everyone else. Oxley built a decade of surgical credibility into a pivotal trial position that no competitor currently holds.

🔗 Dive deeper into his research and stay up to date with his work:

X | Linkedin | synchron.com

2. Jordi Parramon

Managing Partner · Nexus NeuroTech Ventures

One of the few VC managing partners running a fund that invests exclusively in neurological disorders — and one of the more honest voices in the room about what a clinical-stage neurotech company actually needs to survive long enough to matter.

FIELDS OF FOCUS & EXPERTISE:

Parkinson’s disease · Autism · Bipolar disorder · Neuromodulation · EEG diagnostics · Regulatory strategy for neurotech

EARLY CAREER & RECOGNITION:

• B.S. in Physics, B.S., M.S., and PhD in Electrical Engineering — Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

• Started his career at Advanced Bionics, where he was a key contributor on advanced neuromodulation technology

• Managing Partner, Nexus NeuroTech Ventures — exclusively dedicated to neurological disorders

• Regular presence at the Neurotech Leaders Forum and early-stage clinical neurotech panels globally.

NOTABLE IMPACT FOR THE NEUROTECH WORLD:

Nexus is built on deliberate constraint: Parkinson’s, autism, and bipolar disorder only — no exceptions. Parramon’s thesis is that neurological conditions are complex enough, and regulatory timelines long enough, that a generalist fund cannot provide the clinical and scientific value-add that companies genuinely need.

His second fund can deploy from seed through large growth rounds — reflecting a conviction that the right companies deserve sustained institutional support across their entire development arc.

WHAT HE’S TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW:

• Why deep domain knowledge in a specific indication is the real value-add — beyond the cheque

• What clinical differentiation actually means for a company navigating FDA pathways in neuropsychiatry

• The gap between technically novel and clinically viable — and how most early-stage neurotech sits in that gap

• Why the generalist deep-tech fund model is failing clinical-stage neurotech companies

WHY THIS MATTERS?

For companies in neuromodulation, EEG-based diagnostics, or neuropsychiatric tools with serious clinical ambitions, Parramon is one of the most relevant institutional conversations in the field. Understanding his framework before that meeting is time well spent.

🔗 Dive deeper into his research and stay up to date with his work:

X | Linkedin | Jordi Parramon

What Ganguly, Chang, Oxley, and Parramon share is not just domain expertise — it’s a particular relationship with difficulty. A willingness to ask a harder question than the one the field has already answered, and to stay with it long enough for the answer to have weight. A lab director who reframed neural drift as a design problem, not a calibration nuisance. A surgeon who found a delivery route in the brain’s own vasculature. A neuroscientist who spent a decade mapping speech before touching a decoder. An investor who narrowed deliberately when the instinct was to broaden.

The field is entering a phase where single-digit patient trials become hundred-patient trials, where lab results become home-use devices, and where the questions shift from can this work to how do we make it work for everyone. The people in this edition made that shift possible.

🌟 Neurotech Pulse Spotlight: Faces Worth Knowing!

Behind every breakthrough, every funding round, and every bold idea in this space — there’s a person worth knowing. This is our curated spotlight on the individuals shaping neurotechnology, spanning founders and investors to neuroscientists and industry builders. Our selections are guided entirely by the significance of their work and their impact on the field. We hope you find it as rewarding to read as we do to put together.

---

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Thanks for reading Neurotech Pulse! Subscribe for free to receive new posts.

On the BCI front, CorTec received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for its Brain Interchange system in stroke motor rehabilitation — the first BCI worldwide designated for this indication. Meanwhile, funding continued across scale and stage: Newfund closed a dedicated €60M European braintech fund, Mave Health raised $2.1M to launch a tDCS consumer wearable, and BrainsWay completed a $6M milestone-based investment in Neurolief following FDA approval of the Proliv™Rx home neuromodulation system.

This issue’s Case Study Spotlight features Axoft, a Cambridge-based company building the next generation of ultra-soft, high-density implantable BCIs using bio-inspired materials — a quiet but potentially foundational bet on solving the interface longevity problem.

⚡️ Neurotech Newsflash

• Zeto receives FDA 510(k) clearance for New Wave™ outpatient EEG system (neural diagnostics): Zeto has secured its third FDA clearance for the New Wave™, a simplified EEG system designed for outpatient clinics and home settings. The system features 21 soft-tip, gel-free electrodes following the 10–20 standard, supports recordings up to 2.5 hours, and integrates synchronized video, ECG, EMG, and photic stimulation — all running on Zeto’s cloud platform for remote access. The clearance targets a persistent access gap: US patients routinely wait weeks for EEG appointments amid a shortage of trained neurophysiology technologists. (Read more)

• Cala Health receives FDA clearance for kIQ® Plus next-generation TAPS wearable: Cala Health has received FDA clearance for the Cala kIQ® Plus, the next generation of its wrist-worn TAPS (Transcutaneous Afferent Patterned Stimulation) system for action hand tremor in essential tremor and Parkinson's disease. kIQ Plus introduces new therapy modes and adaptive calibration that personalize stimulation based on each patient's tremor signature, building on the existing kIQ platform. Clinical data were presented at AAN 2026 in Chicago. (Read more)

• Neuropacs™ receives FDA De Novo classification as first-in-class AI MRI diagnostic aid for Parkinsonian syndromes (neural diagnostics): Neuropacs Corp. has received FDA De Novo classification under a newly created device category — "Parkinsonian syndrome diagnostic aid" — making it the first such classification in the US. The tool works with standard 3T MRI systems from Siemens, GE Healthcare, and Philips, and requires no radiotracer. Its performance was validated in a multicenter study published in JAMA Neurology. (Read more)

• CorTec receives FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for Brain Interchange™ in stroke motor rehabilitation — first BCI worldwide for this indication: CorTec GmbH has been granted Breakthrough Device Designation for its Brain Interchange™ fully implantable, bidirectional BCI system for chronic stroke motor rehabilitation. The designation, supporting an ongoing IDE study at the University of Washington, covers closed-loop cortical stimulation to support upper-limb motor recovery in stroke patients whose improvement has plateaued with conventional therapy. The first two patients, implanted at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle in July 2025 and February 2026, showed meaningful neurological improvement. (Read more)

• Leclercq American Capital invests in Indivi.io, Swiss digital biomarker specialist for neurology: US-based Leclercq American Capital LLC has made a strategic investment in Indivi.io, a Basel-headquartered TechBio company building functional digital biomarkers for neuroscience drug development. Indivi’s platform combines electrophysiological and sensor-derived behavioral measures to generate earlier proof-of-concept signals in trials targeting Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and neuromuscular disorders. The company holds ISO 13485 and ISO 27001 certification and is deploying its tools in a 2026 proof-of-concept trial for Alzheimer’s biomarker discovery. (Read more)

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💰 Notable Funding

• Newfund closes €60M Heka fund dedicated exclusively to European braintech: Paris-based early-stage VC Newfund has closed Heka, a €60M fund investing exclusively in brain technologies — one of the only such dedicated vehicles in Europe. The fund will back up to 25 European founders across neurology and psychiatry, writing seed cheques of $1M–3M. Nine companies have already been backed, including Finnish digital therapeutics startup Soihtu Dtx and French AI diagnostics company Diagnoly. A US commercialization pathway is a condition of investment. (Read more)

• BrainsWay completes $6M milestone-based investment in Neurolief following FDA PMA approval of Proliv™Rx for MDD: BrainsWay has disbursed a second $6M convertible loan tranche to Neurolief, triggered by FDA Premarket approval of Neurolief’s Proliv™Rx brain neuromodulation system — making it the first and only FDA-approved at-home neuromodulation device for treatment-resistant major depressive disorder. Proliv™Rx is prescribed by a physician and self-administered by the patient at home, positioning it as a scalable complement to BrainsWay’s clinic-based Deep TMS platform.(Read more)

• Mave Health raises $2.1M seed to launch tDCS consumer wearable for focus and stress regulation: Mave Health has raised $2.1M led by Blume Ventures, with participation from Stanford Angels and Tesla Autopilot AI lead Dhaval Shroff, to launch its tDCS headset targeting prefrontal cortex stimulation for focus, mood, and stress regulation. A beta program with 500+ users showed self-reported improvements in productivity and stress within two months. (Read more)

• Audicin raises $1.9M to embed real-time autonomic nervous system regulation in wearables: Audicin has raised $1.9M to develop its nervous system regulation technology as an embedded SDK layer for consumer wearables and partner apps, enabling real-time biofeedback-driven autonomic nervous system modulation without requiring standalone hardware. The round positions Audicin as an infrastructure play — a nervous system API for the wearable ecosystem. (Read more)

• CrossSense wins £1M Longitude Prize on Dementia for AI smart glasses companion: CrossSense, a London-based social enterprise, has been awarded the £1 million Longitude Prize on Dementia funded by Alzheimer’s Society and Innovate UK for its AI-powered assistant for smart glasses designed to support people living with early-stage dementia in daily activities.In testing, participants correctly identified 82% of household items while wearing the glasses, up from 46% without. Prize funds will support a four-week pilot program in participants’ homes in late 2026. (Read more)

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🧠 Neurotech Trends

• Women's brain health emerges as a $1 trillion investment gap in neurotech: New analysis highlighted in TIME and Nature Mental Health makes the economic case for redirecting neurotech investment toward women’s neurological conditions — particularly Alzheimer’s, depression, anxiety, and the cognitive effects of menopause. Nearly two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s are women, and closing the women’s brain health gap could add $1 trillion annually to global GDP. With only 6% of private healthcare investment currently focused on women — most of it in reproductive health — the neurological conditions disproportionately affecting women remain chronically underfunded. This framing is beginning to shape capital allocation conversations across neurotech and pharma. (Read more)

• Neural data privacy enters the regulatory mainstream: Consumer neurotechnology is triggering the first wave of dedicated neural data legislation. Colorado and California enacted the first US state laws governing neural data in 2024, and at least six additional states are now moving in the same direction.A landmark Chilean Supreme Court ruling in 2023, involving a consumer EEG headset and data retained without meaningful consent, has become the template case cited across regulatory discussions globally. Neurotech companies scaling consumer devices will increasingly need to treat neural data governance as a product requirement. (Read more)

• DARPA bets on living neural tissue as the next computing architecture: The Pentagon’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has opened its O-Circuit program inviting teams to develop biological processing units (BPUs) built from living neural tissue for autonomous systems applications including drone navigation. The program cites the energy efficiency of biological neural computation (DARPA uses the fruit fly brain as a benchmark: 140,000 neurons, 6 mWh/day) versus silicon alternatives. Phase one work is expected to begin November 2026, with proposals from academic, nontraditional, and defense contractors invited. (Read more)

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📘 Neurotech Research Articles

• International mega-analysis identifies shared brain signature across five psychedelics: A Nature Medicine study from an international consortium led by McGill University pooled 11 independent fMRI datasets covering 267 participants and over 500 brain-scanning sessions. The analysis identified a consistent pattern: increased functional connectivity between higher-order cognitive networks (default, frontoparietal, limbic) and sensory systems (visual, somatomotor), along with altered subcortical coupling. The findings provide the most comprehensive map of psychedelic brain effects to date eastablishing a shared neural signature that could anchor biomarker development for psychedelic-assisted therapies. (Read more)

• Single-neuron targeting approach shows promise for stroke and paralysis recovery: New NPR-covered research highlights emerging neuron-level intervention strategies that move beyond region-level stimulation, targeting specific neurons involved in motor planning and recovery. The work contributes to a growing body of evidence that precision neuromodulation at the cellular level may unlock recovery pathways unavailable to current broad-field stimulation approaches, with implications for both stroke and paralysis rehabilitation. (Read more)

  New study maps the neural basis of mental imagery formation: Research covered by NPR identifies the specific brain mechanisms through which visual mental images are constructed internally, revealing that the brain uses a hierarchical process similar to visual perception, but driven top-down from higher-order areas rather than bottom-up from sensory input. The findings have implications for understanding both healthy imagination and conditions where mental imagery is disrupted, including PTSD and psychosis. (Read more)

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🌐 Neurotech Education and Events

1. Human+Tech Week 2026
   📅 Date: May 11–15, 2026 | 📍 San Francisco, CA, USA
   Why attend the event? Human+Tech Week brings together 5,000+ founders, researchers, investors, and policymakers around a single thesis: AI and technology should serve human flourishing. Anchored at The Hibernia in SF with 100+ partner-hosted events citywide, it spans health, work, and cities as interdependent systems. For neurotech founders building at the intersection of brain health and consumer AI, or seeking Series A+ capital and enterprise pilot partnerships, this is one of the most concentrated cross-sector gatherings of the spring.

   Link to register: Register here

2. 4th International Conference on Neurology and Mental Disorders

   📅 Date: May 14–15, 2026 | 📍 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

   Why attend the event?Organized by Scientex Conferences, this two-day event convenes clinicians, researchers, and industry professionals working across neurology, psychiatry, and mental health. For neurotech companies building in Southeast Asia or seeking international clinical validation partnerships, it offers a focused forum for presenting research and building academic bridges in an underpenetrated but fast-growing regional market.

   Link to register: Register here

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🎬Case Studies

🎬 Case Study Spotlight: Axoft — Ultra-Soft Implantable BCIs Built to Match the Brain

In this edition’s case study spotlight, we feature Axoft, a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based neurotechnology company developing a new class of implantable brain-computer interfaces (iBCIs) built from bio-inspired materials that mechanically mimic brain tissue. Founded in 2021 and spun out of research at Harvard University, Axoft is working on what it considers the fundamental unsolved problem in iBCIs: not decoding, but the interface itself.

Overview:

Axoft is tackling a core limitation in implantable BCIs: material mismatch with brain tissue that leads to scarring and signal degradation. Its ultra-soft polymer, Fleuron™, is orders of magnitude softer than conventional materials, allowing implants to move with the brain and maintain stable, high-quality recordings over time. Early human studies have shown promising results, including high-density single-neuron recordings, broad tissue coverage, and minimal signal drift, positioning the platform as a strong step toward more durable and scalable neural interfaces.

Use Case Highlights:

• Motor Restoration in Paralysis: Axoft’s high-density, stable interface enables precise tracking of individual motor neurons over time, which is necessary for reliable long-term prosthetic control in patients with ALS or spinal cord injury.

• Neuromodulation for Movement Disorders: Bidirectional closed-loop stimulation based on Fleuron-enabled, high-fidelity neural recordings could enable more responsive, adaptive DBS-type therapies for Parkinson’s disease and dystonia.

• Neuropsychiatry Applications: The company is actively exploring applications beyond motor function, including closed-loop therapies for treatment-resistant depression — using high-resolution neural recording to guide stimulation rather than relying on fixed parameters.

• Neurosurgical Intraoperative Mapping: Fleuron probes can be deployed and explanted within a standard neurosurgical workflow, opening near-term use in functional brain mapping during tumor resection procedures.

Target Audience:

• Neurosurgeons and functional neurosurgery programs

• Academic medical centers running iBCI clinical research programs

• Neuromodulation researchers requiring high-density, long-term stable neural interfaces

• Pharma and biotech companies developing closed-loop CNS therapies requiring precise biomarker-grade neural recording

Key Partnerships:

Axoft’s FINESSE clinical study has been conducted at The Panama Clinic (first-in-human), the Montreal Neurological Institute at McGill University, and Mass General Brigham. Academic collaborators include Charles P. Couturier, MD, PhD, neurosurgeon and assistant professor at McGill, who has described Fleuron as the first implant material that visibly matches the brain’s softness and movement in electrophysiological recordings.Additionally, Research publications have appeared in Nature Nanotechnology and Nature Neuroscience.

Leadership Team:

Paul Le Floch (CEO and Co-founder) completed his PhD in Mechanical Engineering and Material Sciences at Harvard, where he was the first graduate student of Professor Jia Liu, whose work on ultra-flexible nanoelectronics laid the foundation for Fleuron. Le Floch received the Forbes 30 Under 30 distinction for Science in 2021. Co-founder Tianyang Ye, also a Harvard doctorate, specializes in bioelectronics and leads sensor design. The company was backed at seed by The Engine, the venture firm spun out of MIT, alongside Boost VC and Alumni Ventures, and has raised over $18M to date including an oversubscribed $10.1M pre-Series A round.

For more information, visit axoft.us

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On the clinical front, Soterix Medical received FDA 510(k) clearance for its SPRY TMS system for major depressive disorder, while ReVision Implant secured Breakthrough Device Designation for a visual cortex prosthesis aimed at restoring vision in patients beyond the reach of retinal implants.

Funding activity remains strong across modalities. Science Corp raised $230M to advance its PRIMA retinal implant, Cognito Therapeutics secured $105M for Alzheimer’s neuromodulation, and Gestala closed China’s largest early-stage BCI round to develop focused ultrasound interfaces. At the same time, new work in Nature Communications shows how the motor cortex encodes handwriting across multiple dimensions, improving brain-to-text decoding performance.

This issue’s Case Study Spotlight features Ceribell, a company building point-of-care EEG systems for rapid seizure detection, now deployed across hundreds of hospitals.

⚡️ Neurotech Newsflash

• Neuracle Technology receives China’s NMPA commercial approval for invasive BCI targeting SCI hand function (world first): China’s National Medical Products Administration has granted Neuracle Technology (Shanghai) the first commercial approval for an invasive brain-computer interface anywhere in the world. The approved system targets adults aged 18–60 with spinal cord injury of at least one year’s duration, using implanted cortical sensors and a robotic glove controlled by decoded brain signals to restore hand grasp. Clinical data supporting the approval show measurable improvements in grip performance. (Read more)

• Soterix Medical receives FDA 510(k) clearance for SPRY TMS therapy (major depression): Soterix Medical has secured FDA clearance for its SPRY Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation system for major depressive disorder in adults unresponsive to antidepressant medication. SPRY integrates rapid liquid cooling and a touchscreen programmer in a portable form factor, deployed through a psychiatrist partnership program. (Read more)

• ReVision Implant receives FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for visual cortex prosthesis (vision restoration): ReVision Implant has been granted Breakthrough Device Designation for its cortical visual prosthesis, which stimulates the visual cortex directly in patients with blindness from peripheral visual pathway damage, a population outside the reach of retinal prostheses. The designation opens accelerated FDA review as ReVision progresses toward a first-in-human study. (Read more)

• Firefly Neuroscience's Evoke platform identifies EEG biomarkers for ADHD subtype differentiation (neural diagnostics): Firefly Neuroscience announced that its FDA-cleared Evoke EEG/ERP system identified brain wave biomarkers capable of differentiating the three main ADHD subtypes, using NVIDIA GPU-accelerated AI trained on 191,000+ brain scans. These biomarkers may help clinicians select treatment, calibrate dosage, and track neurological response objectively. (Read more)

• Natus launches autoSCORE AI EEG analysis tool globally (neural diagnostics): Natus has launched autoSCORE, an AI-powered EEG platform that classifies EEG patterns and flags abnormalities without requiring a specialist for each trace, targeting neurology departments and ICUs managing reporting backlogs or limited neurophysiology staffing. (Read more)

💰 Notable Funding

• Science Corp raises $230M Series C to commercialize PRIMA retinal implant: At a $1.5B post-money valuation, the round follows Science Corp’s EU CE mark application for PRIMA, a photovoltaic sub-retinal implant paired with camera glasses that improved visual acuity in 80% of 47 trial participants. Funds target CE mark clearance, Germany market entry, and FDA regulatory work. (Read more)

• Cognito Therapeutics raises $105M Series C to advance Spectris toward Alzheimer’s FDA submission: Led by Morningside Ventures, IAG Capital Partners, and Starbloom Capital, proceeds support topline data readout from the fully enrolled HOPE pivotal study, FDA submission, and commercial infrastructure for a 2027 US launch. (Read more)

• Gestala raises $21.6M in China’s largest BCI early-stage round to develop focused ultrasound neural interfaces: Co-led by Guosheng Capital and Dalton Venture with participation from Gobi Ventures, the oversubscribed round funds team growth from 15 to 35, a manufacturing facility, and a first-generation focused ultrasound BCI prototype. (Read more)

• ANEUVO raises $22M Series C to advance ExaStim neuromodulation toward US regulatory filing: Led by Catcher Technology, the round funds manufacturing scale-up and US IDE activities for ExaStim, a portable non-invasive 16-channel multi-electrode array for spinal cord stimulation in SCI rehabilitation, CE marked and commercially active in Europe. (Read more)

• Egra raises $5.5M to build EEG foundation models for neural biomarker discovery: Egra is training large-scale machine learning architectures on population-level EEG data to create general-purpose brain signal representations, reducing dependence on disease-specific hand-labeled datasets that currently limit diagnostic AI in neurology. (Read more)

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🧠 Neurotech Trends

• BCI funding crosses $400M in a two-week window:
  Neurotech saw over $400M in funding across retinal implants, Alzheimer’s therapy, ultrasound BCIs, and neural diagnostics within a short period. This concentration signals a shift toward institutional-scale investment and clearer commercialization pathways. (Read more)

• China’s BCI ecosystem accelerates with regulatory and capital milestones:
  The combination of record funding and the first commercial BCI approval positions China as a parallel regulatory and innovation hub, rather than a follower to Western markets. (Read more)

• EEG foundation models emerge as a new category:
  Companies like Egra and Firefly Neuroscience are building general-purpose models trained on large EEG datasets. This approach may reduce dependence on labeled datasets and enable scalable biomarker discovery. (Read more)

📘 Neurotech Articles

• Motor cortex encodes handwriting across multiple dimensions:
  A Nature Communications study shows that handwriting is represented in the brain through multiple parallel features, including shape, timing, and velocity. Decoders that capture all dimensions outperform simpler models, improving brain-to-text accuracy.(Read more)

• BCIs remain functional during sleep in ALS patients:
  Research shows that intracortical BCIs maintain signal quality across sleep stages, including REM, enabling the possibility of continuous communication systems for late-stage ALS patients.(Read more)

• Electrode-tissue interface identified as key bottleneck in long-term BCI performance:
  A review highlights biological interface stability, rather than decoding algorithms, as the primary limitation in chronic BCI systems. Proposed solutions include flexible materials and adaptive signal processing approaches. (Read more)

🌐 Neurotech Edu. and Events

1. Bioelectronic Medicine Forum 2026

   📅 Date: April 14, 2026 | 📍 New York City, NY, USA
   Why Attend the Event? This forum covers vagus nerve stimulation, spinal cord and peripheral nerve interfaces, and closed-loop neural recording for drug-free therapy, drawing bioelectronic medicine researchers, neuromodulation developers, and clinical investigators. For BCI companies mapping the bench-to-prescription pathway, it is one of the most concentrated annual gatherings.
   Link to register: Register here

2. Neuroethics 2026: Building Bridges and Cultivating Community

   📅 Date: April 15–17, 2026 | 📍 Stanford, CA, USA
   Why Attend the Event? Hosted by the International Neuroethics Society, sessions cover cognitive liberty, neural data privacy, and the ethics of implantable BCIs, topics now commercially and regulatory material as devices near market. Neurotech founders, trialists, and policy-facing researchers will find the sessions directly applicable to consent frameworks, device design, and regulatory strategy.
   Link to register: Register here

3. Annual NeuroTech Convention of SBMT 2026

   📅 Date: April 16–19, 2026 | 📍 Los Angeles, CA, USA
   Why Attend the Event? The SBMT’s annual convention spans cortical interface design, spinal and deep brain stimulation, and BCI clinical trial methodology, drawing neuroscientists, neurosurgeons, engineers, and industry figures. Structured mentorship sessions and a career fair make it productive for early-career researchers and those entering the commercial neurotech sector.
   Link to register: Register here

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🎬Case Studies

🎬 Case Study Spotlight: Ceribell – AI-Powered Point-of-Care EEG for Seizure Detection

In this edition’s case study spotlight, we feature Ceribell, a medical technology company building rapid-deployment EEG systems for seizure detection in acute care settings. Founded in 2014, Ceribell’s system combines a portable EEG headband with an AI algorithm that continuously analyzes brain activity at the bedside.

Overview:

Ceribell replaces traditional EEG workflows that require specialists and long setup times with a system that can be applied by nurses in minutes. Its CLARITY algorithm analyzes EEG data continuously, estimating seizure burden and displaying results in real time. The system is trained on over 800,000 hours of EEG data and has received FDA clearance across adult, pediatric, and neonatal populations.

Clinical studies show reduced ICU stay and faster diagnosis compared to conventional EEG workflows. The system is currently deployed in over 600 hospitals.

Use Case Highlights:

• Non-Convulsive Seizure Detection in the ICU: CLARITY identifies electrographic seizures invisible to clinical observation, enabling treatment of silent seizure activity in critically ill patients without delay.

• Emergency Department Triage: Bedside EEG deployment identifies seizure etiology within the first hour of presentation, supporting faster disposition decisions without transferring the patient.

• Neonatal and Pediatric ICU Monitoring: Following FDA clearance in late 2025, CLARITY monitors premature infants from 25 weeks gestational age, a population where seizures are common and clinical signs are absent.

• Continuous 24/7 Monitoring: The wearable form factor enables uninterrupted EEG monitoring during ICU stays, removing dependence on episodic lab-based studies.

Target Audience:

• Neurocritical care teams and ICU physicians

• Emergency department clinicians

• Neonatologists and pediatric intensivists

• Hospital systems managing limited neurology resources

Key Partnerships:

Ceribell’s clinical validation has been conducted across major US academic medical centers, with outcomes reported in the SAFER-EEG and DECIDE trial datasets. The company’s FedRAMP High certification pathway targets approximately 160 VA hospitals as its next institutional expansion segment.

Leadership Team:

Jane Chao (Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder) founded Ceribell in 2014 after spending years in medtech and seeing firsthand how the standard EEG workflow failed critically ill patients. She has led the company from inception through three FDA clearances, a commercial rollout across 600+ hospitals, and a 2024 IPO that raised $207M. The board includes directors from Johnson & Johnson Innovation and Questa Capital, with clinical advisors drawn from neurocritical care programs at Stanford and UCSF.

For more information about Ceribell and the CLARITY EEG system, visit ceribell.com

🌟 Neurotech Pulse Special Edition: Call for Contributions!

Calling all researchers and writers! Want to showcase your work in our upcoming Neurotech Insights edition? Reach over 5,000+ neurotech enthusiasts by sharing your innovative research. Submit your details and work to collaboration@anthriq.com

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On the consumer side, at-home deep sleep stimulation, AI-driven stress detection, and Apple’s entry into silent speech technology are pushing brain-adjacent sensing into everyday devices. Investment spans biological computing, brain-inspired AI, and wearable neuromodulation, and new research in focused ultrasound, nanolaser hardware, and network-level brain mapping continues to reshape how neural systems are measured and modulated.

This issue’s Case Study Spotlight features NextSense, a California-based company translating laboratory-grade EEG into consumer earbuds for sleep optimization and cognitive health monitoring.

⚡️Neurotech Newsflash

• CorTec completes second human implantation of Brain Interchange™ BCI in FDA-approved stroke trial: CorTec GmbH announced the second successful implantation of its Brain Interchange™ system at Harborview Medical Center (UW Medicine) in Seattle, as part of an FDA-approved trial evaluating cortical stimulation for upper-limb motor recovery in stroke patients. The fully implantable, closed-loop platform enables bidirectional neural recording and stimulation. Early neurological gains in the first participant informed the decision to proceed. The trial operates under an FDA Investigational Device Exemption, with further enrollment planned. (Read More)

• Apple confirms ~$2B acquisition of Q.ai, advancing silent speech technology: Apple confirmed its acquisition of Q.ai, an Israeli AI startup, in a deal valued at close to $2 billion, its second-largest after Beats in 2014. Q.ai uses infrared imaging to detect facial skin micromovements and infer speech without audible input, with patents describing integration into headphones and glasses. Around 100 employees, including CEO Aviad Maizels (founder of PrimeSense, the basis for Face ID), will join Apple’s hardware technologies group. While not a neural interface, the deal reflects growing convergence between biosignal interpretation and ambient device interaction. (Read More)

• Muse launches Deep Sleep Boost for at-home slow-wave sleep enhancement: Muse announced Deep Sleep Boost (DSB), a feature for its Muse S Athena headband that uses AI-driven neural signal models to detect slow-wave sleep and deliver phase-timed pink noise to strengthen deep sleep architecture. The approach builds on published research showing phase-locked acoustic stimulation can increase slow-wave activity by nearly 50%. In beta testing, users experienced roughly 76% more organized slow-wave activity. Available now at no additional cost to Muse S Athena owners. (Read More)

• Cigna’s Evernorth removes prior authorization for TMS across 18 million covered lives: Evernorth Behavioral Health, a Cigna Group subsidiary, will eliminate prior authorization for TMS delivered by contracted, in-network providers effective March 6, 2026. The change covers Evernorth and Cigna Healthcare plans across 12 states, serving over 18 million lives, for major depressive disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Eligibility and medical necessity requirements remain in place; out-of-network providers still require authorization. (Read More)

• Encora Therapeutics receives FDA 510(k) clearance for Encora X1™ wrist-worn tremor device: Encora Therapeutics, an MIT spinout, received FDA 510(k) clearance for Encora X1™, a prescription wrist-worn neurostimulation device for adults with essential tremor. The smartwatch-sized device senses tremor rhythm and delivers personalized stimulation to disrupt tremor signals at the wrist. Clearance was supported by a randomized, sham-controlled trial and a 90-day home-use study showing improvements in tremor severity and daily tasks. Encora received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation in 2021. (Read More)

💰Notable Funding

• The Biological Computing Company raises $25M seed to launch neuron-based computing platform: TBC raised $25 million in seed funding led by Primary Venture Partners to launch what it describes as the first commercial biological computing platform. Founded by neurosurgeon-scientists Alex Ksendzovsky and Jon Pomeraniec, TBC connects living neural networks with AI infrastructure to improve model performance while reducing compute cost. Unlike neuromorphic chip design, the platform harnesses living neurons directly. TBC claims five-times faster processing than silicon alone and has opened a flagship lab in San Francisco's Mission Bay. (Read More)

• Neupulse secures £3M to advance wearable neuromodulation for Tourette syndrome: UK-based Neupulse raised £3 million, led by Eos Advisory and the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II, to accelerate its non-invasive neuromodulation wristband for Tourette syndrome. Funding supports product refinement, regulatory approvals, and potential expansion into broader neurological indications. (Read More)

• Stanhope AI raises £6M for brain-inspired autonomous systems: Stanhope AI raised £6 million ($8 million) to develop its brain-inspired “Real World Model,” an AI framework that processes real-time environmental input and adapts decisions under uncertainty. Currently tested in autonomous drone piloting and robotics, the round was led by Frontline Ventures with participation from Paladin Capital Group and others. (Read More)

• Vivatronx receives early-stage funding for spinal stimulation device in India: Vivatronx secured ₹1 crore (approximately $120K) following national recognition for its spinal stimulation device targeting motor rehabilitation in paralysis patients. While modest in scale, the milestone reflects growing activity in India’s neurotech landscape. (Read More)

🧠 Neurotech Trends

• Brainomix launches stroke AI platform with regulatory-cleared net water uptake analysis: Brainomix launched its Brainomix 360 Stroke Next Generation platform at ISC 2026 in New Orleans, featuring a regulatory-cleared, automated net water uptake (NWU) capability using routine non-contrast CT scans. NWU provides a quantitative measure of edema severity within ischemic tissue, complementing existing ischaemic core volume and e-ASPECTS features. The platform received the Red Dot Design Award for usability and supports faster decision-making for thrombolysis, thrombectomy, and transfer scenarios. Brainomix is an Oxford University spinout operating in more than 20 countries. (Read More)

• Israel advances eye- and mind-controlled systems for defense and healthcare: Alona Barnea, heading a newly revealed neurotechnology department at MAFAT (Israel's Defense Ministry R&D unit), is developing BCI systems for drone control via eye tracking, neural command interfaces, and AI-generated digital twins. The technology combines neural monitoring, eye tracking, and facial muscle sensors for real-time human-machine interaction. While defense-oriented, the BCI and cognitive monitoring capabilities carry clinical and assistive implications. (Read More)

• Sensor-driven bionic footwear enters human augmentation space: Nike unveiled Project Amplify, a battery-powered footwear system developed with robotics partner Dephy, combining carbon-fiber sneakers with titanium leg shells housing motors, sensors, and adaptive algorithms. Controlled via mobile app, the system personalizes walking and running assistance. Consumer launch is targeted for 2028. While not a neural technology, Project Amplify reflects the broader convergence of biomechanics, wearable computing, and sensor-driven augmentation adjacent to neurorehabilitation. (Read More)

📘 Neurotech Articles

• Brain network mapping links Parkinson’s symptoms to somato-cognitive action network: Researchers proposed a network-level reframing of Parkinson’s disease, linking motor and cognitive symptoms to hyperconnectivity between the somato-cognitive action network (SCAN) and subcortical regions rather than traditional motor pathways alone. Targeting SCAN nodes with clinical interventions improved both motor and cognitive outcomes, supporting personalized, network-based approaches to neuromodulation. .(Read More)

• Spiking nanolasers replicate probabilistic neural computation at ultrafast speeds: Researchers at the University of Bern developed networks of spiking semiconductor nanolasers that mimic the brain’s probabilistic sampling of hidden environmental information. While biological neurons fire on millisecond timescales, nanolasers spike in picoseconds, enabling computations hundreds of millions of times faster. The work bridges neuroscience, photonics, and AI with implications for energy-efficient brain-inspired computing. (Read More)

• Focused ultrasound modulates blood pressure in real time via spinal cord stimulation: Researchers at Johns Hopkins University showed that low-intensity focused ultrasound can modulate spinal cord circuits to raise or lower blood pressure without drugs or implants. Thoracic stimulation lowered pressure; lumbosacral stimulation raised it. The dual-directional control is relevant to spinal cord injury patients with autonomic dysfunction, and the team envisions future wearable devices for on-demand blood pressure management. (Read More)

🌐 Neurotech Edu. and Events

1. Cognitive Neuroscience Annual Meeting 2026

   📅 Date: March 7–10, 2026 | 📍 Vancouver, Canada

   Why Attend the Event? Covers advances in memory, perception, and decision-making, with sessions on digital cognitive assessments, wearable EEG, and real-time BCIs.

   Link to register: Register here

2. Computational and Systems Neuroscience (COSYNE) 2026

   📅 Date: March 12–17, 2026 | 📍 Lisbon & Cascais, Portugal
   Why Attend the Event? Focuses on computational modeling of neural circuits and systems-level brain dynamics, highlighting AI, machine learning, and high-density neural recordings for next-generation BCIs.

   Link to register: Register here

3. Neuro Tech Forum 2026

   📅 Date: March 26–27, 2026 | 📍 Newport Beach, California, USA
   Why Attend the Event? Covers commercialization strategies, funding trends, regulatory pathways, and startup-to-market approaches for BCI devices and neuromodulation systems.

   Link to register: Register here

4. Asilomar for the Brain & Mind 2026

   📅 Date: March 29–April 1, 2026 | 📍 Pacific Grove, California, USA
   Why Attend the Event? Brings together neuroscientists, neurotech entrepreneurs, and thought leaders for interdisciplinary collaboration across brain research, AI-driven neural modeling, and cognitive devices.

   Link to register: Register here

🎬Case Studies

🎬 Case Study Spotlight: NextSense – EEG-Powered Earbuds for Sleep and Cognitive Health

In this edition’s case study spotlight, we feature NextSense, a California-based neurotechnology company building consumer-grade EEG earbuds for sleep optimization and brain health monitoring. Founded in 2020 by Jonathan Berent, a former project lead at Alphabet’s X moonshot factory, NextSense has moved from prototype to commercial launch, backed by a $16 million oversubscribed Series A led by Ascension Ventures in November 2025.

Overview:

NextSense develops Smartbuds, wireless earbuds housing six clinical-grade EEG sensors that capture brain activity in real time. Rather than inferring sleep from motion or heart rate, Smartbuds detect neural signals to identify sleep stages and deliver precisely timed audio stimulation to strengthen slow-wave sleep. The system uses adaptive, closed-loop algorithms that learn individual neural patterns and adjust output accordingly.

In beta testing over 106 nights, Smartbuds increased slow-wave activity, with nearly 50% of participants reporting better sleep and improved morning recovery. The company has collected over 1,000 nights of real-world in-ear EEG data, one of the largest such datasets outside a controlled study. Medical applications are targeted for 2027 through planned university and pharmaceutical research partnerships.

Use Case Highlights:

• Sleep Optimization: Real-time auditory cues synchronized to brain activity prolong and stabilize slow-wave sleep.

• Cognitive State Feedback: Relax and Focus modes adapt audio to detected brain states for self-regulation and attention.

• Longitudinal Brain Monitoring: Continuous in-ear EEG across multiple nights enables tracking of sleep architecture outside clinical settings.

• Research Applications: Wearable EEG data supports neuroscience and sleep research at scale in a natural-use form factor.

Target Audience:

• Healthcare providers monitoring sleep disorders, cognitive decline, or rehabilitation

• Consumers seeking evidence-based sleep and cognitive wellness tools

• Neuroscience researchers requiring real-world, high-fidelity EEG datasets

• Wellness organizations integrating neurofeedback into mental health programs

Key Partnerships:

NextSense has expanded clinical research collaborations with Stanford, Harvard, Mayo Clinic, and Emory University, contributing to validation studies and early-stage neuroscience research using its in-ear EEG platform. The company has also built visibility in elite sports performance, including a top-3 finish at NFLPA Pitch Day, forming partnerships with athletic organizations exploring brain-based recovery and cognitive monitoring. On the investor side, NextSense's $16 million Series A was led by Ascension Ventures (a healthcare-focused venture fund), with participation from Satori Neuro and Corundum Neuroscience Fund, aligning its capital base with partners active in neuroscience commercialization and clinical validation.

Leadership Team:

NextSense is led by Jonathan Berent (Founder & CEO), whose background spans neuroscience, product development, and wearable technology from his time at Alphabet’s X. The board includes QuHarrison Terry (Mark Cuban Companies) and John Kuelper (Ascension Ventures), with scientific advisors including Gert Cauwenberghs of UC San Diego.

For more information about NextSense, visit nextsense.io

🌟 Neurotech Pulse Special Edition: Call for Contributions!

Calling all researchers and writers! Want to showcase your work in our upcoming Neurotech Insights edition? Reach over 5,000+ neurotech enthusiasts by sharing your innovative research. Submit your details and work to collaboration@anthriq.com

❤️ Join us on Discord.

Thanks for reading Neurotech Pulse! Subscribe for free to receive new posts.

Investment continues to scale across both foundational and applied layers of the stack, spanning BCI infrastructure, AI-driven acute diagnostics, and neuromodulation platforms designed for real-world use.

At the same time, advances in high-resolution sensing, material science, and consumer-grade brain interfaces indicate a shift where form factor, manufacturability, and deployment readiness are becoming as critical as signal quality.

This issue’s Case Study Spotlight features BrainCo, a rare example of a non-invasive BCI company that has scaled beyond prototypes. Operating across health, education, and rehabilitation, BrainCo illustrates how EEG based interfaces are evolving into deployable, everyday neurotechnology platforms that bridge consumer and clinical contexts.

⚡️Neurotech Newsflash

• Surf Therapeutics begins early feasibility trial for non-invasive neuromodulation in rheumatoid arthritis: Surf Therapeutics has launched an Early Feasibility Study to evaluate its non-invasive ultrasound neuromodulation platform for treating rheumatoid arthritis. The approach uses a patented broad-beam ultrasound system to stimulate nerves involved in the body’s natural anti-inflammatory pathways, aiming to reduce chronic inflammation without drugs, surgery, or implants. The study will enroll up to 40 patients across an open-label pilot and a randomized, sham-controlled phase, with findings expected to inform future pivotal trials and support a more scalable, patient-friendly alternative to existing rheumatoid arthritis treatments. (Read more)

• FDA-Cleared Layer 7 BCI advances toward clinical scale through Precision Neuroscience & Medtronic Partnership: Precision Neuroscience and Medtronic have partnered to integrate Precision’s FDA-cleared Layer 7 cortical BCI with Medtronic’s neurosurgical navigation and stimulation systems. The integration allows surgeons to place the ultra-thin, temporary cortical electrode array during standard neurosurgical procedures to capture high-resolution cortical signals intraoperatively—supporting real-time brain mapping, functional monitoring, and safer surgical decision-making. This marks a concrete step toward embedding BCIs directly into routine neurosurgical workflows rather than standalone research setups. (Read More)

• Empatica’s EmbraceMini receives FDA clearance for sleep monitoring:

  Empatica has received FDA clearance for EmbraceMini, its wrist-worn device for sleep monitoring using physiological signals such as movement and autonomic activity. The clearance enables broader clinical deployment and integration into regulated care workflows, strengthening the role of continuous, wearable biosignal monitoring in sleep medicine and long-term neurological health tracking. (Read More)

• Neurolief secures FDA PMA approval for first physician-directed at-home neuromodulation therapy for depression: Neurolief has received FDA PMA approval for Proliv™Rx, the first prescription, physician-directed at-home brain neuromodulation therapy for treatment-resistant depression. Supported by the multicenter MOOD Study, the approval enables clinically validated neuromodulation to be delivered at home under physician oversight, offering a scalable alternative to clinic-based interventions, with a US launch expected in early 2026. (Read More)

💰Notable Funding

• Merge Labs raises $252M to advance brain–computer interface development:

  Merge Labs has raised $252M in new funding to accelerate the development of its brain–computer interface technology. Backed by Open AI, Bain Capital, and others, the funding aims to support continued research, talent expansion, and long-term efforts to scale BCI platforms aimed at pushing the boundaries of human–machine interaction. (Read More)

• BrainCo raises $286M to scale non-invasive BCI and expand into regulated global markets: BrainCo has raised over $286M, co-led by IDG Capital and Walden International to accelerate the next phase of its non-invasive brain–computer interface strategy, moving beyond early deployments toward large-scale manufacturing, parallel hardware development, and broader international expansion. The capital is expected to support scaling across rehabilitation, assistive devices, education, and mental health, while also addressing growing scrutiny around how cognitive data is collected and used. (Read More)

• Spiro Medical raises $67M Series A to develop neuromodulation therapy for asthma: Spiro Medical has secured $67M in Series A financing to advance development of its implantable neuromodulation system designed to treat asthma. The funding will support clinical development and regulatory progress of Spiro’s nerve-targeted therapy, which aims to modulate airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction without relying solely on chronic drug treatment. (Read More)

• Omniscient Neurotechnology secures $20M to scale AI-driven brain mapping: Omniscient Neurotechnology has received a $20M investment from Australia’s National Reconstruction Fund to expand its AI-powered brain mapping platform worldwide. The funding supports global deployment of precision neurosurgical planning tools that map brain networks non-invasively, accelerating safer surgery and reinforcing the shift toward data-driven, personalized neurosurgery infrastructure. (Read More)

🧠 Neurotech Trends

• HyperX and Neurable explore brain-sensing headphones for cognitive gaming: HyperX and Neurable’s brain-sensing gaming headset made headlines again at the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show, marking a coming-of-age moment for consumer neurotech. By pairing Neurable’s brain-sensing and signal processing with HyperX’s gaming hardware, the headset points toward a future of immersive, adaptive gaming experiences that respond in real time to the player’s mental state—potentially reshaping how performance and engagement are defined in gaming. (Read More)

• BCI Engineering extends into organ preservation and transplant care: Science Corporation, founded by former Neuralink president Max Hodak, is applying brain–computer interface engineering to organ preservation. The company is developing compact, automated perfusion systems that use sensors and closed-loop control to keep organs viable outside the body for longer periods—potentially improving transplant logistics, reducing organ waste, and extending neurotech expertise beyond the brain into critical care infrastructure. (Read More)

• Materials science and high-resolution EEG push BCIs toward precision: Advances in materials science and sensing technologies, including graphene based electrodes and millimeter scale EEG, are improving spatial accuracy and reducing signal drift. These developments enable finer neural decoding and support BCI expansion beyond clinical use. As investment shifts toward consumer and performance applications and regulation becomes more defined, BCIs are evolving from niche therapeutic tools into scalable and ethically governed platforms for cognitive interaction. (Read More)

📘 Neurotech Articles

• Rebuilding human brain circuits reveals the thalamus’s role in cortical development: Researchers in Japan, led by scientists at Nagoya University, have recreated key human neural circuits using multi-region brain models known as assembloids. These models are formed by fusing cortical and thalamic organoids derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells. The study shows that the thalamus plays a central role in guiding cortical maturation. Cortical tissue connected to the thalamus exhibited more advanced gene expression and synchronized neural activity, with thalamic signals selectively strengthening specific neuron types. Published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the work establishes assembloids as a powerful platform for studying human brain wiring and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism. (Read More)

• A multimodal AI sleep model for long term disease prediction: Researchers have developed SleepFM, a multimodal AI foundation model trained on over 585,000 hours of sleep recordings that can predict the risk of 130 diseases from a single night of data. By integrating EEG, ECG, respiratory, and muscle signals, the model uncovers physiological patterns linked to long-term health outcomes. This work positions sleep as a powerful, non-invasive health signal, with the potential to turn routine sleep studies into early warning systems for preventive and personalized medicine. (Read More)

• Stimulant drugs improve performance by boosting arousal rather than attention: A new study published in Cell shows that commonly prescribed stimulant medications do not directly enhance attention circuits. Instead, they increase arousal, wakefulness, and reward related brain activity, producing neural patterns similar to those observed after healthy sleep. The findings challenge long held assumptions about how ADHD drugs work and suggest that their benefits arise from increased alertness and engagement rather than selective activation of attention networks. (Read More)

🌐 Neurotech Edu. and Events

1. International Stroke Conference (ISC) 2026

📅 Date: February 04–06, 2026 | 📍 New Orleans, USA

Why Attend the Event? As the premier global meeting for cerebrovascular disease, ISC 2026 is critical for neurotech developers focused on neurorehabilitation and acute intervention. The conference showcases the latest in “bench-to-bedside” research, including robotic rehabilitation, brain-computer interfaces for post-stroke recovery, and advanced neuro-imaging for vascular health. It is an essential stop for those looking to understand the clinical requirements for next-generation stroke technologies.

Link to register: Register here

2. ACTRIMS Forum 2026

📅 Date: February 05–07, 2026 | 📍 San Diego, USA

Why Attend the Event? The Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS) Forum focuses on the latest scientific advances in neuroimmunology. For the neurotech community, this event provides insight into how digital biomarkers and wearable sensors are being used to track disease progression and gait analysis. It offers a specialized environment for those developing monitoring technologies for chronic neurodegenerative conditions.

Link to register: Register here

3. AAIC Neuroscience Next

📅 Date: February 23–26, 2026 | 📍 Hybrid / Global Hubs

Why Attend the Event? Organized by the Alzheimer’s Association, this no-cost hybrid conference is designed to showcase the next generation of researchers in dementia and Alzheimer’s. The program is unique for its “hub” format, connecting local neurotech ecosystems (such as London, Sydney, and San Jose) to a global audience. It is an excellent opportunity for early-career innovators to explore how AI and neuro-assessment tools are reshaping our approach to cognitive decline.

Link to register: Register here

4. 4th European Congress of Neurology and Neuropsychiatry

📅 Date: February 23–24, 2026 | 📍 Paris, France

Why Attend the Event? This congress bridges the gap between clinical neurology and psychiatric practice, making it a key venue for neurotechnology aimed at behavioral and cognitive disorders. Discussions often center on neuromodulation techniques (like TMS and tDCS) and the integration of AI-driven diagnostics in clinical settings. The Paris setting facilitates high-level networking with European regulatory experts and clinical researchers.

Link to register: Register here

🎬Case Studies

🎬 Case Study Spotlight: BrainCo – non-invasive BCI for health, education, and rehabilitation

In this edition’s case study spotlight, we feature BrainCo, a leading neurotechnology unicorn that originated in the Harvard Innovation Lab. While many firms struggle to move past the prototype stage, BrainCo has achieved massive scale by deploying non-invasive Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology across three distinct sectors: intelligent bionics, wellness/education, and clinical rehabilitation. Their ecosystem approach proves that high-fidelity EEG data can be commercialized in both consumer and medical-grade products simultaneously.

Overview:

BrainCo develops wearable EEG headsets and software platforms that measure neural signals related to attention, intent, and motor imagery. Its product portfolio spans cognitive training systems for education, neurofeedback tools, and rehabilitation-focused BCIs that enable control of assistive devices such as robotic prosthetics.

The company’s systems rely on non-invasive EEG acquisition combined with signal processing and machine-learning models to translate brain activity into actionable outputs, with a focus on robustness and repeatability outside controlled lab environments.

Use Case Highlights:

• Cognitive Training & Education: EEG-based feedback systems designed to measure and improve attention and engagement in learning environments.

• Neurorehabilitation: Brain-controlled interfaces used for stroke recovery and motor rehabilitation through intention-driven feedback loops.

• Assistive Robotics: Brain-controlled prosthetic and assistive devices enabling users to perform motor tasks using neural intent.

• Applied Neurofeedback: Real-time brain signal feedback for training focus, self-regulation, and mental performance.

Target Audience:

• Rehabilitation hospitals and physical therapy centers

• Educational institutions and cognitive training programs

• Researchers studying applied BCIs and neurofeedback

• Organizations deploying assistive technologies for motor impairment

Key Partnerships:

In January 2026, BrainCo announced a pre-IPO financing round led by IDG Capital and Walden International, marking one of the largest disclosed private financings in the BCI sector to date.

On the manufacturing side, BrainCo has entered a strategic partnership with Lens Technology, a major supplier to Apple, enabling large-scale production of EEG modules and bionic prosthetic components. The partnership supports BrainCo’s transition from limited deployments to volume manufacturing.

In robotics, BrainCo partnered with Unitree Robotics in 2025 to integrate its bionic hand systems into Unitree’s humanoid robotics platform, extending BrainCo’s assistive technology stack into general-purpose robotics research and development.

As of January 2026, BrainCo has confidentially filed for an initial public offering on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, reflecting its intent to access public markets following several years of commercial scaling.

Leadership Team:

BrainCo is led by Bicheng Han, Ph.D. (Founder & CEO), who conducted doctoral research at the Harvard Center for Brain Science. Han remains closely involved in the company’s technical and strategic direction and was appointed in 2025 to the Hong Kong Chief Executive’s advisory body focused on innovation, AI, and emerging technologies.

BrainCo’s R&D organization draws heavily from U.S. academic research ecosystems, with a significant portion of its engineering and research team trained at institutions including Harvard and MIT, and a growing patent portfolio spanning neural signal acquisition, decoding algorithms, and human–machine interfaces.

For more information about BrainCo and its BCI products, visit brainco.tech

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Alongside these advances, the field is confronting new questions around privacy, consent, and long-term monitoring as ambient AI and continuous biosignal collection move deeper into healthcare settings. Emerging trends—from smart clothing overtaking wrist-wearables to BCIs expanding into smart home control—underscore how form factor and usability are increasingly shaping adoption.

This issue’s Case Study Spotlight features Earable Neuroscience, a company advancing ear-EEG as a low-friction approach to sleep and cognitive monitoring. Through its FRENZ™ Brainband, Earable illustrates how biosignal collection is moving beyond episodic lab studies toward continuous, real-world neuroscience, marking another step in neurotech’s gradual integration into everyday care and research.

⚡️Neurotech Newsflash

• Flow Neuroscience receives major FDA clearance for depression treatment: Flow Neuroscience secured a significant FDA clearance for its non-invasive neuromodulation system targeting Major Depressive Disorder. The approval strengthens the clinical case for home-based neurostimulation as a scalable alternative to pharmacological treatment, especially for patients with treatment-resistant depression. (Read more)

• Natus receives FDA 510(k) clearance for status epilepticus detection: Natus announced FDA 510(k) clearance for an electrographic status epilepticus diagnostic indication within its BrainWatch point-of-care EEG platform. The update enables faster bedside decision-making in critical care environments where time-to-diagnosis is essential. (Read more)

• Sharp HealthCare faces lawsuit over Ambient AI monitoring: Sharp HealthCare is facing legal challenges related to its use of Ambient AI for passive patient monitoring. While not limited to neurotech, the case raises critical questions around consent, transparency, and liability as hospitals deploy “always-on” biosignal and AI systems. (Read more)

• IBEC develops mobile biosignal tech for post-stroke sleep apnea: Researchers at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) unveiled a non-invasive mobile system for diagnosing sleep apnea in stroke survivors. By correlating respiratory EMG with neurological recovery, the platform enables continuous home monitoring of post-stroke complications. (Read more)

• Motif Neurotech launches patient registry for DOT depression therapy: Motif Neurotech opened its patient registry for upcoming trials of its Digitally Optimized Therapy (DOT) implant—a battery-free, skull-mounted device that stimulates the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex without penetrating brain tissue. (Read more)

💰Notable Funding

• Radial raises $50M Series A to scale interventional psychiatry: Radial secured a $50M Series A round led by General Catalyst to expand its network of clinics delivering interventional psychiatric care. The funding will support new clinic openings and the development of proprietary decision-support software to guide treatments such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and rapid-acting therapeutics. The raise positions Radial as infrastructure for scaling equipment-heavy, non-traditional mental health care. (Read more)

• Neurable raises $35M Series A to commercialize everyday brain-computer interfaces: Neurable announced a $35M Series A round to accelerate the rollout of its AI-powered BCI platform. The capital will fund commercialization of the MW75 Neuro headphones, which integrate soft EEG sensors into consumer audio devices. Neurable aims to position cognitive monitoring as a daily-use feature and expand OEM integrations over the coming years. (Read more)

• Kitea Health closes $13M round to advance implantable intracranial pressure monitoring: Kitea Health raised $13M in an oversubscribed round to advance development of its Axon™ implant, a wireless sensor designed to continuously monitor intracranial pressure in patients with hydrocephalus. The funding will support upcoming human trials in the United States, a key step toward regulatory approval. (Read more)

• NeuroBionics raises $10M Seed to develop endovascular neural interfaces: NeuroBionics announced a $10M Seed round to advance its minimally invasive neural interface platform. The company is developing flexible bioelectronic fibers that access the brain through blood vessels, enabling neural recording and modulation without open surgery. The funding will support continued R&D and early clinical validation. (Read more)

• Subsense raises additional $10M to pursue nanoparticle-based brain interfaces: Subsense raised an additional $10M, bringing its total Seed funding to $27M, to develop a non-surgical brain–computer interface based on engineered nanoparticles. The approach aims to create a bi-directional neural interface without implants by delivering nanoparticles via a nasal route. The funds will be used to advance preclinical development of the platform. (Read more)

🧠 Neurotech Trends:

• UNICEF releases “Neuro-Rights for Children” framework: UNICEF published a report titled “Preparing for the Future: Neurotechnology and Children’s Rights”, outlining risks associated with the use of neurotechnology on minors. The framework warns against attention-monitoring headsets in classrooms, calls for restrictions on neuro-surveillance in educational settings, and introduces the concept of CALMTech to ensure access to therapeutic neurotechnology without exposing children’s neural data to commercial exploitation. (Read more)

• Smart clothing begins to outpace wrist-based wearables: Consumer technology forecasts indicate that smart clothing with embedded biosensors such as EMG and ECG is projected to grow faster than wrist-wearables in 2026. Advances in flexible electronics are enabling signal acquisition from garments and headwear, offering richer physiological data without the friction of dedicated devices. (Read more)

• BCI expands beyond gaming into smart home automation: Market reports released in December 2025 identify smart home automation as an emerging primary driver for non-invasive BCI adoption. Consumer devices are increasingly positioned as hands-free controllers for lighting, temperature, and security systems, with a focus on accessibility and use by aging or mobility-limited populations. (Read more)

📘 Neurotech Articles:

• Reversing “brain aging” to stop epilepsy: A new study reported that temporal lobe epilepsy may be driven by premature cellular aging (senescence). Researchers showed that senolytic drugs, which selectively remove aging cells, significantly reduced seizure frequency and improved memory in mouse models. The findings suggest a potential new therapeutic pathway for drug-resistant epilepsy by targeting cellular aging rather than neural excitability alone. (Read more)

• Advanced brain imaging shows how inflammation can be blocked in Parkinson’s disease: Researchers at the University of Queensland used simultaneous PET/MRI imaging to visualize the effects of a new oral anti-inflammatory drug in the living brain. The study confirmed that the drug blocked specific inflammasomes and prevented neuronal death, providing direct imaging-based evidence of efficacy that could accelerate progression to human clinical trials. (Read more)

• Ultra-thin wireless brain implant streams signals from over 65,000 electrodes: Researchers from Columbia University, Stanford University, and the University of Pennsylvania published a paper in Nature Electronics describing the Biological Interface System to Cortex (BISC). The wireless, paper-thin implant floats on the brain’s surface and transmits neural data at up to 100 Mbps using more than 65,000 electrodes. The architecture addresses long-standing wiring and bandwidth limitations in high-density brain–computer interfaces. (Read more)

🌐 Neurotech Edu. and Events:

1. Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026
   📅 Date: January 06–09, 2026 | 📍 Las Vegas, USA

   Why Attend the Event?
   CES 2026 brings neurotechnology into the mainstream consumer spotlight as biosensors increasingly move from research labs into everyday products. The Digital Health track is expected to feature a growing number of “invisible” biosensors, including EEG-integrated sleep devices, EMG-enabled wearables, and stress-monitoring systems. The event offers an early view into how brain and biosignal technologies are being packaged for mass-market adoption.

   Link to register: Register here

2. Alpine Brain Imaging Meeting (ABIM) 2026
   📅 Date: January 11–15, 2026 | 📍 Champéry, Switzerland

   Why Attend the Event?
   ABIM 2026 is a focused gathering for researchers working on advanced brain imaging and human brain mapping. The meeting emphasizes in-depth technical discussions around fMRI, high-density EEG, and connectivity modeling in a small, collaborative setting. It is particularly valuable for researchers seeking close interaction and collaboration on next-generation brain imaging methods.

   Link to register: Register here

3. SPIE BiOS & Photonics West 2026
   📅 Date: January 17–22, 2026 | 📍 San Francisco, USA

   Why Attend the Event?
   SPIE BiOS is a leading conference for the hardware and optics side of neurotechnology. The Neurophotonics track covers optical brain interfaces, including optogenetics, functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), and optical imaging techniques. The event highlights sensor technologies and photonic tools shaping future non-invasive and minimally invasive neural interfaces.

   Link to register: Register here

4. Winter Conference on Brain Research
   📅 Date: January 24–29, 2026 | 📍 Big Sky, Montana, USA

   Why Attend the Event?
   The Winter Conference on Brain Research focuses on fundamental neuroscience, with an emphasis on neural circuits, plasticity, and systems-level understanding of the brain. The interdisciplinary program brings together molecular biologists, systems neuroscientists, and clinicians, making it relevant for those building biologically grounded neurotechnology and adaptive BCI systems.

   Link to register: Register here

🎬Case Studies

🎬 Case Study Spotlight: Earable Neuroscience – Ear-EEG for Sleep and Cognitive Monitoring

In this edition’s case study spotlight, we feature Earable Neuroscience, a neurotechnology company focused on developing ear-centered brain monitoring systems for sleep and cognitive health. The company’s flagship product, FRENZ™ Brainband, is an ear-EEG–based wearable designed to capture brain activity and physiological signals during natural sleep and daily use. By shifting EEG sensing from the scalp to the ear, Earable aims to enable continuous, low-friction neural monitoring outside clinical and laboratory environments.

Earable’s work is positioned around validating ear-EEG as a practical alternative to traditional EEG, with an emphasis on real-world data collection rather than episodic, lab-based recordings.

Overview:

FRENZ™ Brainband is an ear-worn device that integrates EEG with additional biosignals such as heart rate and motion to monitor brain and sleep states. The system is designed for overnight and long-duration use, enabling longitudinal tracking of neural activity with minimal setup compared to conventional scalp EEG.

Earable Neuroscience has published and presented research demonstrating the feasibility of ear-EEG for sleep staging and cognitive state analysis, positioning the ear as a stable and socially acceptable sensing location for continuous neurophysiological monitoring.

Use Case Highlights:

• Sleep Staging and Quality Assessment: Uses ear-EEG and physiological signals to analyze sleep architecture in natural settings.

• Cognitive State Monitoring: Supports research into attention, fatigue, and mental workload outside laboratory conditions.

• Longitudinal Brain Monitoring: Enables repeated, extended neural data collection over days or weeks.

• Low-Friction EEG Form Factor: Ear-based sensing reduces preparation time and discomfort compared to scalp EEG.

Target Audience:

• Sleep researchers studying brain activity during natural sleep

• Neuroscience teams exploring ambulatory EEG and real-world cognition

• Digital health researchers evaluating objective sleep and brain biomarkers

• Organizations conducting longitudinal neurophysiological studies

Key Partnerships:

Earable Neuroscience is an official member of the National Sleep Foundation’s SleepTech® Network, aligning its research and product development with established clinical sleep standards. The company is backed by Samsung Ventures, which supports its manufacturing and scaling efforts, and Founders Fund, providing early-stage backing that reflects strong confidence in Earable’s deep-tech approach to neural sensing.

Leadership Team:

Earable Neuroscience is led by Tam Vu, Ph.D. (Founder & CEO), a former professor at the University of Oxford and the University of Colorado Boulder, and the primary inventor of the company’s core ear-EEG sensing technology. Kimi Doan (Chief Innovation Officer) oversees global expansion and ecosystem development, with a focus on building partnerships across the emerging SleepTech landscape.

For more information about Earable Neuroscience and FRENZ™ Brainband, visit frenzband.com

🌟 Neurotech Pulse Special Edition: Call for Contributions!

Calling all researchers and writers! Want to showcase your work in our upcoming Neurotech Insights edition? Reach over 5,000+ neurotech enthusiasts by sharing your innovative research. Submit your details and work to collaboration@nexstem.ai

❤️ Join us on Discord.

Thanks for reading Neurotech Pulse! Subscribe for free to receive new posts.

Funding momentum from Synchron, Beacon Biosignals, and Coherence Neuro highlights investor confidence in scalable BCI systems, neural diagnostics, and brain-guided therapies. We also explore emerging trends in ethics, ambient interfaces, and hybrid brain–device architectures, alongside breakthroughs in transformer-powered EEG decoding, subretinal prosthetics, and lab-grown brain organoids.

This issue’s Case Study Spotlight features Cognixion, a California-based company building non-invasive BCIs that help people speak using only brain and eye signals. By combining EEG, AR, and gaze tracking into a wearable system, Cognixion is rethinking how communication can be restored without implants or muscle movement.

⚡️Neurotech Newsflash

• Paradromics gets FDA approval for the first human trial of its Connexus BCI (speech restoration): Paradromics has secured FDA Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) approval for its Connect-One Early Feasibility Study. The study will evaluate the Connexus BCI, a high-bandwidth neural implant designed to restore speech in individuals with severe motor impairment. First-in-human trials are expected to begin in early 2026. (Read more)

• ONWARD Medical receives FDA 510(k) clearance for at-home use of its ARC-EX system (spinal cord injury rehabilitation): ONWARD’s ARC-EX system, a non-invasive neuromodulation device for spinal cord injury (SCI), has been cleared for home use by the FDA, enabling patients to continue therapy outside clinical settings. The company also received IDE approval to begin a pivotal study of its implanted ARC-IM system focused on blood pressure stabilization in SCI patients. (Read more)

• Phantom Neuro launches Patient Registry for upcoming neural interface trials: Phantom Neuro has opened enrollment for its Patient Registry, inviting upper-limb amputees to participate in upcoming studies. The initiative supports clinical validation of Phantom’s minimally invasive neural interfaces aimed at intuitive prosthetic control. (Read more)

• INBRAIN Neuroelectronics partners with Microsoft on agentic AI for BCI therapeutics: INBRAIN is collaborating with Microsoft to develop agentic AI systems that power precision neurology. The partnership combines INBRAIN’s graphene-based neural interfaces with Microsoft’s cloud and AI infrastructure, accelerating personalized brain therapies. (Read more)

💰Notable Funding

• Synchron raises $200M Series D to scale Stentrode and launch new BCI platform: Synchron announced a $200M round led by Double Point Ventures, with continued backing from ARCH, Khosla Ventures, Jeff Bezos, and Protocol Labs. The funds will accelerate commercialization of its Stentrode BCI system and support development of a stealth-mode, high-channel, whole-brain interface. Synchron also plans to open a new R&D facility in San Diego to drive next-gen platform innovation. (Read more)

• Beacon Biosignals raises $86M Series B to expand AI-powered brain diagnostics: Backed by ARCH Venture Partners, the round will be used to scale Beacon’s EEG-based precision neurology platform, grow its proprietary neurodiagnostic datasets, and accelerate the development of AI-derived biomarkers for brain and mental health disorders. (Read more)

• Coherence Neuro raises $10 M to launch closed-loop neuro system for cancer treatment: San Francisco-based Coherence Neuro has secured a $10 million seed round from Babel Ventures to advance its work at the intersection of neuroengineering and cancer therapy. This latest funding will enable the company to begin its first human trials, a pivotal step toward building a closed-loop, bi-directional system for treating cancer. (Read more)

• EBRAINS-Neurotech awarded €18.3M grant to build next‑gen brain technology infrastructure: A new European consortium, EBRAINS‑Neurotech, led by the University of Amsterdam and 8 other institutions has secured funding from the Dutch Research Council (NWO) to build shared infrastructure for brain‑machine interface research, advanced neural implants, and digital brain models. (Read more)

• NextSense raises $16M Series A to launch EEG-smartbuds for everyday brain monitoring: Led by Creation Partners, the round will support the commercial launch and scale-up of NextSense’s EEG-enabled smart earbuds, designed to passively monitor brain activity during sleep, focus, and daily life. The funding will also help expand developer tools and accelerate clinical research partnerships. (Read more)

• Precision Neuroscience receives investment from SCI Ventures to accelerate BCI access for paralysis: Precision Neuroscience has partnered with SCI Ventures, a firm focused on spinal cord injury innovation, to expand the clinical deployment of its Layer 7 cortical interface. The funds will support clinical studies, regulatory progress, and broader access to brain-computer interface technology for individuals with severe paralysis. (Read more)

🧠 Neurotech Trends:

• UNESCO Adopts Global Ethics Standard for Neurotechnology: In a landmark move, UNESCO has adopted the world’s first international ethical framework for neurotechnology. The guidelines emphasize mental privacy, cognitive liberty, and protection from coercive or exploitative use, laying down ethical boundaries for neural data collection, workplace surveillance, and military applications. (Read more)

• Global BCI market projected to grow from ~$2.4B (2025) to ~$6.16B by 2032, fueled by Non-Invasive Solutions: A recent market analysis projects the global brain-computer interface market to grow from ~$2.4B in 2025 to ~$6.16B by 2032, driven by regulatory progress, broader neurological applications, and a surge in wearable and non-invasive systems. The forecast reflects rising confidence in neurotech’s shift from experimental to essential. (Read more)

• Apple Vision Pro Explores Accessibility via Non-Invasive Brain Interfaces: Apple’s accessibility team has begun experimenting with Vision Pro as a hands-free interface platform, leveraging gaze tracking and neural signal interpretation for users with motor impairments. Early pilots suggest that non-invasive brain-computer interaction could evolve through ambient sensors and attention-based triggers—transforming assistive tech into a seamless, mainstream experience (Read more)

📘 Neurotech Articles:

• Lab-Grown Brain Organoids mimic early Human Cognition:Researchers from UC Santa Cruz found that human brain organoids (grown from stem cells and isolated from all sensory input) produce structured, time‑based neuronal firing patterns resembling the brain’s default mode. These early sequences emerge months before sensory processing is possible, suggesting the brain assembles its foundational circuitry from an intrinsic, genetically guided program. The work provides a controlled model for studying early neurodevelopment, disorders, and the impact of toxins on fetal brain wiring. (Read more)

• Sleep Apnea may be a precursor to Parkinson’s Disease: A longitudinal study of over 11million adults found that individuals with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) were significantly more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease — independent of age, sex, and other risk factors. The research highlights a potential neurodegenerative pathway triggered by chronic sleep disruption and positions respiratory irregularities during sleep as an early biomarker for Parkinsonian disorders. (Read more)

• Genetic risk combined with cardiovascular factors may help predict and delay dementia: A new study led by UC San Francisco shows that dementia risk prediction improves significantly when genetic factors are combined with cardiovascular health markers. While genes like APOE4 and family history carry weight, modifiable risks, such as hypertension, obesity, and diabetes proved equally important. The findings point toward more personalized, prevention-focused strategies for identifying those at highest risk. (Read more)

• Guidewire‑deployable high‑density ECoG array enables scalable BCI implants: A team of researchers published a novel electrocorticography (ECoG) array that packs 256 electrodes in 4 cm², can be folded, inserted via a millimeter‑scale skull opening, then unfurled epidurally. In canine tests it captured rich auditory neural signals and, using standard ML classifiers, could distinguish between sound types with > 80% accuracy. This design resolves a longstanding tradeoff between electrode coverage, signal fidelity, and surgical invasiveness, a key enabler for future, scalable brain‑computer interfaces. (Read more)

• Transformer‑integrated deep‑learning enables robust EEG decoding of complex visual imagery: In a new study, researchers introduced a deep learning architecture that combines functional connectivity metrics with a convolutional neural network and image transformer hybrid. Applied to non-invasive EEG recordings, the system decodes complex visual imagery (such as imagined upper-limb movements) into control signals for robotic arm manipulation. Offline and pseudo-online tests showed promising subject-independent decoding, marking a step toward versatile, non-invasive BCI interfaces that do not require implants. (Read more)

🌐 Neurotech Edu. and Events:

1. NeurIPS 2025
   📅 Date: December 02–07, 2025 | 📍 San Diego, USA NeurIPS+1

   Why Attend the Event?

   Join neuroscientists, ML researchers, and neurotech innovators at NeurIPS 2025, the world’s leading conference on neural information processing. While known for frontier AI work, its dedicated tracks on computational neuroscience, neural decoding, and brain-inspired architectures are where the next wave of BCI algorithms are born. Expect sessions on spiking neural networks, neural representation learning, semantic decoding from EEG, and biologically grounded AI.

   Link to register: Register here

2. EBRAINS Summit 2025
   📅 Date: December 08–11, 2025 | 📍 Brussels, Belgium

   Why Attend the Event?
   Join neuroinformaticians, brain researchers, and policy leaders for the EBRAINS Summit 2025, focused on building Europe’s digital neuroscience infrastructure. This year’s edition will spotlight the EBRAINS 2.0 roadmap, advancing cross-border brain data sharing, simulation engines, and ultra-detailed brain atlases. Sessions explore how open-access neural platforms are powering both clinical research and next-gen neurotechnologies.

   Link to register: Register here

3. CIFAR Neuroscience of Consciousness Winter School
   📅 Date: December 10–12, 2025 | 📍 Montebello, Canada

   Why Attend the Event?
   Join neuroscientists, philosophers, and AI researchers at this intimate CIFAR winter workshop exploring the biology of consciousness. Hosted by the Brain, Mind & Consciousness program, the event brings together leading voices tackling the “hard problem” of subjective experience. Sessions delve into cross-species neural correlates of consciousness, selfhood, memory, and what it means for the future of sentient AI systems.

   Link to register: Register here

🎬Case Studies

🎬 Case Study Spotlight: Cognixion – Non-Invasive BCI for Assistive Communication

In this edition’s case study spotlight, we feature Cognixion, a California-based neurotechnology company advancing brain–computer interfaces for individuals with severe motor and speech impairments. Cognixion is developing Cognixion ONE, a non-invasive, wearable system that combines EEG, eye tracking, and augmented reality to enable communication through neural and gaze-based intent. By integrating multiple input modalities into a portable, AI-assisted interface, the platform offers a new pathway for restoring speech without relying on muscle movement or invasive implants.

Currently offered for research and investigational use, Cognixion ONE is being evaluated in clinical environments, with the aim of enabling real-world application across assistive care, neurorehabilitation, and speech therapy.

Overview:
Cognixion ONE pairs a wireless EEG headset (Axon-R) with an AR-enabled display to detect and interpret user intent using a combination of brain activity, gaze fixation, and head pose. The system supports predictive text generation, personalized voice synthesis, and real-time interaction via a fully embedded, multimodal interface.

Designed for individuals with conditions such as ALS, cerebral palsy, or spinal cord injury, the platform operates without surgical intervention and is optimized for deployment in home and clinical settings. A clinical study integrating Cognixion ONE with Apple Vision Pro is currently underway to explore spatial computing applications for non-verbal communication.

Use Case Highlights:

• Assistive Communication: Enables speech generation using neural and gaze signals in individuals with minimal or no voluntary movement.

• Supports Multimodal Input: Combines EEG, eye tracking, and head tracking to improve accuracy and reduce false selections.

• Non-Invasive and Portable: Offers a fully wearable, wireless BCI system designed for real-world environments without surgical procedures.

• Voice Personalization: Supports custom voice proxies for identity-preserving speech synthesis in degenerative conditions.

Target Audience:

• Clinicians and speech-language pathologists supporting patients with neuromuscular or motor impairments

• Rehabilitation centers and long-term care facilities seeking non-invasive AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) solutions

• Neurotechnology researchers developing multimodal BCI systems for assistive and clinical applications

Key Partnerships:
Cognixion has partnered with Pupil Labs for integrated eye-tracking support and Blackrock Neurotech for research distribution of the Axon-R platform. A clinical collaboration with Apple Vision Pro is underway to evaluate spatial computing interfaces for non-verbal users.

Leadership Team:
Cognixion is led by Andreas Forsland (Founder & CEO), whose experience as a caregiver informed the company’s mission, and Chris Ullrich (CTO), who brings technical leadership across biosignals, AR, and embedded systems. The team spans neuroscience, clinical design, and real-time systems engineering.

For more information about Cognixion and its non-invasive BCI platform, visit cognixion.com

🌟 Neurotech Pulse Special Edition: Call for Contributions!

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This issue’s Case Study Spotlight features CoMind, a London-based startup redefining brain monitoring with its light-based CoMind One system, aiming to make intracranial insights safer, smarter, and truly non-invasive.

⚡️Neurotech Newsflash

• Boston Scientific to Acquire Nalu Medical for $533M: Boston Scientific has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Nalu Medical, maker of a miniaturized, battery-free peripheral nerve stimulation system for chronic pain. The deal, expected to close in early 2026, expands its neuromodulation and pain management portfolio. (Read more)

• Neuralink Reports 10,000+ Patient Waitlist: President Dongjin Seo revealed that over 10,000 people have expressed interest in receiving Neuralink’s N1 implant, with 12 patients already implanted and 25 expected by year-end. The company’s robotic surgical arm is key to scaling safely, with users achieving 10× faster-than-human response times. (Read more)

• Natus Acquires Holberg EEG to Advance AI in Neurodiagnostics: Natus Medical has acquired full ownership of Holberg EEG, creator of the first FDA-cleared AI model for automatic EEG interpretation. Trained on 30,000+ recordings, the system matches expert accuracy and integrates with Natus NeuroWorks® to bring faster, smarter brain diagnostics to clinics worldwide. (Read more)

• Revision Implant Wins ‘Most Disruptive Innovator’ at Deloitte Fast 50: Belgian startup Revision Implant was named Most Disruptive Innovator at Deloitte’s 2025 Technology Fast 50 for its vision-restoring neural prosthesis that enables blind individuals to regain functional sight. The award recognizes cutting-edge medical technologies redefining sensory restoration and neuroprosthetics. (Read more)

• REMspace Enables First Dream-to-Dream Communication: California startup REMspace achieved a world-first by letting two lucid dreamers exchange a message while asleep using EEG and facial EMG sensors. The team now aims to enable real-time communication within dreams. (Read more)

• Biolinq’s Needle-Free Glucose Sensor Gets FDA Approval: The Biolinq Shine, a quarter-sized patch with micro-scale electrochemical sensors, measures glucose without breaking the skin. It uses color cues, blue for normal, yellow for high, and syncs sleep and activity data to a smartphone app, marking a step toward multi-analyte biosensing for wellness and metabolic health. (Read more)

• Pixium’s PRIMA Implant Restores Vision in AMD Patients: A new NEJM study shows that the subretinal photovoltaic microarray restored partial central vision in 80% of advanced AMD patients. Combined with infrared glasses, the system enabled meaningful visual recovery within 12 months, a key milestone for bionic vision. (Read more)

💰Notable Funding

• Sense Neuro Diagnostics Raises $17M to Advance Rapid Stroke & TBI Scanner: Backed by UC’s 1819 Innovation Hub, Queen City Angels, and two U.S. DoD contracts ($4.4M combined); funds will accelerate NeuroHawk’s clinical testing and FDA clearance. (Read more)

• CoMind Raises $102.5M to Redefine Non-Invasive Brain Monitoring: London-based CoMind secured $102.5M led by Plural, with Angelini Ventures, Octopus, and LocalGlobe to advance regulatory approval of CoMind One, a bedside device providing continuous, non-invasive insights into cerebral blood flow, autoregulation, and intracranial pressure. (Read more)

• HistoSonics Raises $250M to Expand Non-Invasive Tumor Therapy: The developer of the Edison® Histotripsy System secured $250M in oversubscribed growth financing led by Thiel Bio, K5 Global, and Bezos Expeditions. The funds will expand global access and new indications for its focused-ultrasound platform that liquefies tumors without surgery or radiation. (Read more)

🧠 Neurotech Trends:

1. Bioelectronic Hybrid Neurons Blur the Line Between Biology and Computing: Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have created artificial neurons using bacterial nanowires and memristors that mimic real neurons’ voltage and behavior. Operating at 0.1 V—10× more efficient than previous models, the hybrids can fire, rest, and respond to chemical cues, even controlling living heart cells. The breakthrough points to energy-efficient neuromorphic computing and biointegrated BCIs. (Read more)

2. Ultrasound Breakthrough Targets Multiple Brain Networks at Once: Researchers at ETH Zurich, University of Zurich, and NYU have developed a new focused ultrasound system that can stimulate 3–5 brain regions simultaneously, a first in non-invasive neuromodulation. The technique uses hologram-like ultrasound waves at lower intensity to safely activate or inhibit brain networks, while simultaneously visualizing their activity. Early animal tests show potential for treating Alzheimer’s, epilepsy, tremor, Parkinson’s, depression, and stroke recovery. (Read more)

3. Real-Time Optical Tracking of Alzheimer’s Progression: Researchers from the University of Strathclyde, IIT, Padua, and DTU have developed an optical fibre–based technique that can monitor Alzheimer’s progression in real time as animals move naturally. Using fluorescent dyes that bind to amyloid plaques, the system shines light into the brain to measure plaque build-up dynamically across regions, eliminating the need for anaesthesia or fixed imaging. The method could accelerate drug testing and enable longitudinal brain monitoring in neurodegenerative research. (Read More)

📘 Neurotech Articles:

1. Australia’s Human Rights Commission Calls for Neurotech Safeguards: The Australian Human Rights Commission has released Peace of Mind: Navigating the Ethical Frontiers of Neurotechnology and Human Rights, calling for urgent reforms to protect neural data privacy, mental freedom, and workplace rights. The report urges “human rights by design” principles, explicit protection for brain data, bans on coercive neuromarketing, and strict oversight of workplace and military neurotech use. (Read more)

2. Vision Restored in AMD Patients Using Retinal BCI: A New England Journal of Medicine study from Science Corp. demonstrates that the Prima retinal implant can restore central vision in patients with geographic atrophy from age-related macular degeneration. The photovoltaic implant, paired with infrared-projection glasses, activates the retina directly when photoreceptors are lost. Led by Dr. Frank Holz and Science Corp. founder Max Hodak, the study marks a milestone in translating brain–computer interface technology into clinical ophthalmology. (Read more)

3. Music and Nature Work in Harmony to Ease Stress and Lift Mood: A review from George Mason University shows that combining music and nature, like listening to songs outdoors or singing while gardening, can significantly reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. The dual-sensory approach engages multiple senses, improving emotional well-being and fostering creativity. Researchers highlight its accessibility for trauma survivors, veterans, and older adults with dementia, presenting a low-cost, non-pharmacological path to better mental health. (Read more)

🌐 Neurotech Edu. and Events:

1. Global Congress on Neuroscience and Psychiatry
   📅 Date: March 09–10, 2026 | 📍 Singapore City, Singapore

   Why Attend the Event?
   Join neuroscientists, psychiatrists, engineers, and innovators for NeuroCon 2026, themed “Mind, Machine & Medicine: The Future of Neuropsychiatry.” The congress explores how neurotechnologies, ranging from BCIs and neural implants to AI-driven brain mapping are redefining brain and mental health care. Sessions include discussions on neuroplasticity, computational psychiatry, digital twins, and ethical frontiers in neurotech.

   Link to register: Register here

2. Satellite Workshop: High-Performance BCIs in Action
   📅 Date: November 15, 2025 |📍San Diego, USA

   Why Attend the Event?
   Join researchers, clinicians, and neuroengineers at this Neuroscience 2025 satellite workshop to experience the latest in invasive and non-invasive brain–computer interface systems for rehabilitation and brain assessment. Explore next-generation EEG hardware, including wet, dry, hybrid, and TMS-compatible electrodes, along with ultra-high-density grids, wireless EEG, and advanced signal processing algorithms. The session will also feature live demos from the BCI Hackathon and BCI Award series.

   Link to register: Register here

🎬Case Studies

🎬 Case Study Spotlight: CoMind – Non-Invasive Brain Monitoring for Critical Care

In this edition’s case study spotlight, we feature CoMind, a London-based neurotechnology company redefining how the brain is measured and treated across the care continuum. CoMind is developing CoMind One, a non-invasive brain-monitoring device that uses advanced infrared light to measure cerebral blood flow, autoregulation, and intracranial pressure in real time, offering a safer alternative to invasive procedures that require drilling into the skull. With over $102.5 million in total funding and multiple clinical trials underway, CoMind is advancing toward regulatory approval and commercialization by 2027.

Overview:
CoMind One combines an adhesive forehead sensor with interferometric optical sensing to track cerebral blood flow and metabolic balance in the brain. Using laser light to measure “time-of-flight” signals through tissue, the system can estimate intracranial pressure non-invasively and display results in real time on a dedicated monitor or integrated hospital systems. Clinical validation is underway through the CoMind Early Feasibility Study (NCT06368648) and DuoSense Trial, aimed at proving non-invasive measurement of cerebral pressure and blood flow, key steps toward FDA clearance and adoption in ICUs, operating rooms, and neurocritical care.

Use Case Highlights:

• Critical-Care Brain Monitoring: Provides real-time data on cerebral blood flow and pressure, helping clinicians detect hypoperfusion and autoregulatory failure early.

• Cardiac & Vascular Surgery: Monitors cerebral physiology during complex procedures to reduce the risk of ischemic complications.

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Enables safer monitoring of intracranial pressure without surgical intervention.

• AI-Driven Insights: CoVision, CoMind’s analytics platform, uses these signals to generate predictive insights that support proactive interventions.

Target Audience:

• Neurosurgeons, anesthesiologists, and intensivists managing neuro-critical patients

• Hospitals seeking next-generation brain-monitoring systems

• Clinical researchers in neurophysiology and biomedical optics

Key Partnerships:
CoMind collaborates with leading clinicians and research institutions across the U.S. and U.K., supported by an independent Clinical Advisory Board and other experts in neurology, neurosurgery, and critical care.

Leadership Team:
CoMind is led by James Dacombe (Founder & CEO) and Simon Morling (CTO), supported by a multidisciplinary team bringing together deep expertise across neuroscience, optics, AI, and clinical translation.

For more information about CoMind and its next-generation neuromonitoring platform, visit comind.io

🌟 Neurotech Pulse Special Edition: Call for Contributions!

Nexstem is looking to partner with universities, labs, and researchers exploring EEG, EMG, or multi-biosignal systems. If your work bridges neuroscience and engineering, we’d love to collaborate on the next breakthrough. Reach out: collaboration@nexstem.ai

Every moment, your brain is not merely receiving the world, it is predicting it.
From the color of the wall to the weight of a cup, every perception begins as a hypothesis, tested and updated in real time. This framework, known as predictive coding or predictive processing has become one of the most influential theories in modern neuroscience (Friston, 2010; Clark, 2013).

At its core, predictive coding suggests that the brain is a generative model, a self-updating simulation that continuously forecasts incoming sensory inputs and adjusts when its expectations don’t match reality. The result? What we experience as “perception” is the brain’s best guess of the world, continuously corrected by sensory evidence.

In short: perception is prediction constrained by sensation.

This framework extends beyond vision or hearing. It explains how we move, feel emotions, make decisions, and even experience a stable sense of self.

The Neuroscience of Prediction and Error

Cortical Hierarchies and Feedback Loops

Predictive coding proposes a hierarchical structure in the cortex. Higher regions generate top-down predictions, while lower regions send back bottom-up prediction errors, the difference between expected and actual input (Rao & Ballard, 1999).

Every cortical level communicates in this loop. When errors are small, the brain’s model is accurate. When large, it updates its beliefs. Over time, this loop allows the brain to minimize surprise, what Karl Friston calls the Free Energy Principle (Friston, 2010).

Experimental Evidence: The Brain’s Prediction Errors

Evidence for predictive coding comes from multiple well-established paradigms:

• Mismatch Negativity (MMN): EEG studies show a negative deflection around 100–250 ms after an unexpected auditory event, the brain’s automatic detection of a violated sensory regularity (Näätänen et al., 2007). In predictive-coding terms, the MMN represents a prediction-error signal, generated when actual input deviates from the brain’s statistical model of the environment.

• Error-Related Negativity (ERN): A rapid negative EEG deflection originating in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), the ERN peaks ≈ 50–150 ms after an error, often before conscious awareness (Gehring et al., 1993). It marks the brain’s automatic performance-monitoring signal, interpreted as either a negative prediction error (“worse than expected”) or conflict between competing actions, prompting swift behavioral correction.

• Perceptual Illusions: The McGurk effect, hollow-mask illusion, and bistable figures demonstrate that perception follows internal models more than raw input (Hohwy et al., 2008). When data are ambiguous, the brain privileges priors — top-down expectations, over conflicting sensory evidence.

• Sensory Attenuation: During self-generated movement, predicted sensations are suppressed, explaining why you can’t tickle yourself (Blakemore et al., 2000). This reflects a forward model that subtracts expected sensory consequences from self-produced actions.

Together, these findings reveal a simple truth: the brain does not passively receive the world, it continuously predicts it, corrects itself, and thereby constructs the stable experience of reality.

Beyond Sensation: Prediction in Emotion, Action, and Self

Predictive processing extends deep into interoception, the brain’s monitoring of internal bodily states.

• Emotion as Prediction: According to Lisa Feldman Barrett’s Theory of Constructed Emotion, emotions are the brain’s predictions about bodily states, not mere reactions (Barrett, 2017). Anxiety, for example, emerges when threat priors are overweighted, the brain predicts danger even in ambiguous contexts.

• Action as Prediction: Motor control itself is predictive. The motor cortex sends efference copies of movement commands to predict the resulting sensations (Wolpert et al., 1995). Smooth motion depends on how well these predictions match sensory feedback.

• The Self as a Model: Our sense of self may be the most enduring prediction of all, a hierarchical model integrating interoceptive, proprioceptive, and exteroceptive data (Seth, 2021). When predictions fail catastrophically, experiences like depersonalization or out-of-body perception can emerge (Seth et al., 2012).

The Predictive Brain Meets Neurotechnology

Predictive coding provides a powerful lens for designing next-generation BCIs — systems that interpret, anticipate, and adapt to neural states rather than merely reading signals.

• Detecting Prediction Errors: EEG markers such as MMN and ERN allow real-time detection of cognitive mismatch or performance errors. BCIs leveraging these signatures can adapt interfaces dynamically, adjusting stimuli, difficulty, or feedback loops (Blankertz et al., 2012).

• Active Inference Interfaces: In active inference, the brain acts to minimize prediction error, by changing the world or its own model (Friston et al., 2017). BCIs can mirror this principle: instead of passively decoding, they probe the user (through feedback or stimulation) to reduce uncertainty.

• Adaptive Motor and Cognitive Systems: Closed-loop neuroprosthetics already exploit predictive mechanisms. Motor-imagery BCIs predict intended movement before muscle activation, while adaptive EEG systems detect lapses in attention or fatigue seconds before performance declines .

Parallels with Artificial Intelligence

Modern AI shares the same core logic: prediction. Large language models, predictive vision systems, and generative agents all minimize “loss” — the digital analogue of prediction error.

But while current AI lacks embodied feedback, biosignal-informed AI closes that loop. When BCIs feed human-state data (EEG, EMG, HRV) into adaptive algorithms, machines gain priors shaped by biology. This convergence of predictive coding and embodied AI may define the next era of human–machine symbiosis

Ethical and Philosophical Considerations

Manipulating priors is powerful and risky. If perception is a controlled hallucination, technology that alters priors effectively alters reality.

• Autonomy: Adaptive interfaces must preserve voluntary control, not override it.

• Consent: Emotional or perceptual nudging requires explicit awareness and opt-in.

• Bias: Predictive systems trained on limited priors risk amplifying societal and cognitive bias.

Neurotechnology must therefore operate with what philosophers call epistemic humility, awareness of the limits of what can or should be changed in the human predictive loop.

Closing Thought

The brain is not a camera capturing the world; it is a composer conducting a symphony of expectation and error.

To build truly human-aware machines, we must learn not only to read the brain’s signals but to understand its predictions.

Call for Research Collaborations: EEG, EMG & Beyond

Nexstem is looking to partner with universities, labs, and researchers exploring EEG, EMG, or multi-biosignal systems. If your work bridges neuroscience and engineering, we’d love to collaborate on the next breakthrough. Reach out: collaboration@nexstem.ai

⚡️Neurotech Newsflash

• Alterego Demos ‘Near-Telepathic’ Wearable for Silent Communication: The Silent Sense headset detects subtle signals to enable thought-speed typing, silent conversations, hands-free device control, and real-time translation, positioning Alterego as a non-invasive rival to implants. (Read more)

• Apple Pushes Health Stack Across AirPods & Watch: AirPods Pro 3 add ear-based heart-rate tracking and improved hearing assistance, while Apple Watch Series 11/Ultra 3 introduce hypertension pattern alerts (FDA clearance pending) plus a new 100-point sleep score. Together, Apple’s wearables tighten a consumer-scale biometrics loop for continuous cardio and sleep monitoring. (Read more)

• Sense Neuro Submits FDA Application for NeuroHawk Stroke & TBI Detector: The radio-frequency-based system identifies brain bleeds, stroke, and traumatic brain injury in under four minutes at the point of care, from ambulances to ICUs. With reusable control units and disposable headsets, NeuroHawk aims to deliver rapid, scalable neurocritical diagnostics beyond CT and MRI. (Read more)

• Neuralink Launches ‘Blindsight Echo’ Inner Speech Trial: Neuralink has received FDA clearance to begin a 20-person feasibility study aimed at decoding inner speech into text with its N1 implant, targeting speeds of 100 words per minute at ~80% accuracy. If successful, the trial could restore communication for ALS and stroke patients and redefine human–AI interaction through direct thought-to-text systems. (Read more)

• INBRAIN Neuroelectronics Partners with Mayo Clinic to Advance Graphene BCI: The ICN2/ICREA/CSIC spin-off will co-develop and clinically evaluate graphene-based brain-computer interfaces for neurological disorders; first-in-human safety data from Manchester trials reported positive results, with U.S. expansion planned in Boston and on the West Coast. (Read more)

• Medtronic’s Altaviva™ gets FDA approval for urge urinary incontinence (UUI): A minimally invasive implantable tibial neuromodulation device placed near the ankle; activates at discharge, is MRI-compatible, and targets ~16M U.S. UUI patients with a ~15-year battery life. (Read more)

💰Notable Funding

• Galvanize Therapeutics Raises $100M Series C to Scale PEF Oncology & COPD Therapies: Oversubscribed round led by Sofinnova Partners; funds expand Aliya® for solid tumors, RheOx® for chronic bronchitis, and support commercialization. (Read more)

• Noctrix Health Raises $33.5M (Debt + Equity) to Accelerate U.S. Launch of Nidra® TOMAC for RLS: New capital from Blue Venture Fund, Sandbox Clinical Ventures, and Bridge Bank supports commercialization and clinical adoption. (Read more)

• Optain Health Raises $26M Series A to Scale AI + Robotic Retinal Imaging for Early Disease Detection: Led by Insight Partners with major U.S. health systems; funds U.S. deployments, teleophthalmology grading, and global expansion of its oculomics platform. (Read more)

• Boomerang Medical Raises $20M Series B to Advance Pivotal UC Neuromodulation Trial: Co-led by Arboretum Ventures and Hatteras, the round funds BOOM-IBD2, a U.S.-enrolling pivotal study of implantable sacral neuromodulation following a 40-patient feasibility cohort. (Read more)

🧠 Neurotech Trends:

1. India’s 2nm Push Gains a Bengaluru Anchor: ARM Embedded Technologies will design 2nm-class chips at its new Bengaluru hub, deepening India’s advanced-node footprint under Semiconductor Mission 2.0 and a $1B Deep Tech Fund. With a rapidly localizing supply chain (fabs/ATMP, specialty chemicals, gases), this strengthens on-device AI for neurotech, lower latency, longer battery life, and a path to next-gen neural signal-processing silicon for wearables and BCIs.(Read more)

2. China Issues First BCI Medical Device Standard: The National Medical Products Administration has released the Terminology of Medical Devices Using Brain-Computer Interface Technology, the country’s first BCI medical device standard, effective January 1, 2026. The move underpins China’s broader roadmap to achieve breakthroughs in electrodes, chips, and devices by 2027 and build globally competitive BCI enterprises and clusters by 2030. (Read more)

3. Meta Launches Ray-Ban Display Glasses and Neural Band Interface: Meta has introduced AI glasses featuring a high-resolution monocular display, paired with a wrist-worn Neural Band that enables silent control via subtle neural/muscle signals. Live demos demonstrated ~30 words per minute “air-typing,” real-time subtitles/translation, and media control. The $799 set ships on September 30, alongside updated Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Vanguard models, with Horizon Studio/Engine framing glasses and neural input as the next platform. (Watch)

📘 Neurotech Articles:

1. AI Co-Pilot Supercharges Non-Invasive BCI: UCLA engineers paired a wearable EEG with a camera-guided AI “co-pilot” that infers user intent in real time to control a cursor or robotic arm. In tests, tasks were completed significantly faster; a paralyzed participant finished a 4-block pick-and-place in ~6.5 minutes with AI but couldn’t without it, pointing to scalable shared-autonomy assistive BCIs. (Read more)

2. Dynamic ‘NeuroWorm’ Soft Electrode Enables Steerable, Long-Term Neural Interfaces: Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology reports a 200-µm, magnetically guided microfibre with up to 60 channels that can be repositioned in vivo, recording stable EMG for 43+ weeks with ~23-µm fibrosis (vs ~451-µm for rigid electrodes) and capturing high-quality signals along cortex-to-subcortex trajectories. If translated to humans, steerable low-scarring electrodes could cut revision surgeries, expand multisite monitoring/stimulation for BCIs, prosthetics, and epilepsy mapping, and make chronic implants more durable. (Read more)

3. A Helmet That Could Treat the Brain Without Surgery: An Oxford-led team showcased a 256-element focused-ultrasound helmet that non-invasively modulated the lateral geniculate nucleus in volunteers, driving visual-cortex changes that persisted for ~40 minutes. By precisely tuning deep circuits without surgery, this platform points to a potential DBS alternative for disorders like Parkinson’s, depression, and epilepsy, and a path to wearable, clinic-friendly neuromodulation via the NeuroHarmonics spinout. (Read more)

4. Decoding Inner Speech with a Mental Passcode: Stanford researchers translated silent inner monologue to speech in real time from implanted microelectrode arrays, reaching up to 74% accuracy and adding a user-controlled “neural password” to prevent unintended decoding. Tested in BrainGate2 participants with ALS, the approach lowers effort compared to attempted-speech BCIs and worked even when articulation wasn’t possible. If validated and scaled to larger vocabularies, inner-speech BCIs could restore faster, more natural communication while preserving mental privacy by design. (Read more)

🌐 Neurotech Edu. and Events:

1. MiNT UK 2025: Neurotechnology in Practice, Measuring Impact on Patient
   📅 Date: October 16, 2025 | CentrEd at ExCeL London

   Why Attend the Event?
   Join clinicians, researchers, engineers, and device developers for a full-day program on how neurotechnology is transforming clinical practice and patient outcomes. Expect expert panels, live demos, hands-on workshops, a MiNT Surgery lunch-and-learn, fast-forward posters with awards, and a strong exhibitor/innovator showcase with plenty of networking.

   Link to register: Register here

2. Neuroscience 2025 (Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting)
   📅 Date: November 15–19, 2025 | San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA

   Why Attend the Event?
   Join global leaders in neuroscience for five days of high-impact posters, symposia, tool demos, and networking, spanning circuits, computation, neuroAI, and BCIs. Ideal for presenting work, finding collaborators, and scouting next-gen methods.

   Link to register: Register here

🎬Case Studies

🎬 Case Study Spotlight: NeuroBionics – evStim Endovascular Neuromodulation

In this edition’s case study spotlight, we highlight NeuroBionics, a Boston-based startup translating hair-thin, flexible bioelectronic fibers into a minimally invasive neuromodulation platform. The company’s evStim device is designed to deliver deep and peripheral neuromodulation through blood vessels aiming to broaden access to therapies like DBS without open surgery. With founders from MIT’s Anikeeva Lab, NeuroBionics positions evStim as a therapeutic BCI platform for CNS and PNS targets.

Overview: evStim is a microscale bioelectric fiber coiled into a helical anchor and delivered endovascularly via a stent-like catheter procedure. Once positioned, it provides precise stimulation through the vessel wall to target tissue. The platform emphasizes biocompatibility/hemocompatibility, multi-electrode capability (record and stimulate), and tunable geometry to fit small and large vessels. In parallel, the IO fiber research tool combines electrical and optogenetic stimulation/recording with a fluidic channel in a single MRI-compatible device.

Use Case Highlights:

• Endovascular DBS without craniotomy: Potentially expand access for Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, epilepsy, and depression.

• Peripheral neuromodulation via vasculature: Access splenic/vagus (inflammation, sympathetic tone), hypoglossal (OSA), and sacral (incontinence) targets without open cut-down surgery.

• Bidirectional platform: Multi-electrode design supports recording and stimulation today, with electrical/optical/fluidic experimentation via the IO fiber.

Target Audience:

• Patients considering neuromodulation for movement disorders, epilepsy, OSA, incontinence, or neuroimmune indications

• Neurosurgeons, interventional neurologists/neurointerventionalists, and functional neuromodulation teams

• Research groups needing compact, MRI-compatible, multimodal interfaces for CNS/PNS studies

Key Partnerships:
NeuroBionics is working with leading academic labs and clinical advisors to advance early-feasibility studies, while building manufacturing and testing capabilities to accelerate translation.

Leadership Team:
NeuroBionics is led by bioelectronic materials innovators MJ Antonini, PhD (Founder & CEO) and Nicolette Driscoll, PhD (Founder & CTO), supported by a multidisciplinary team with expertise spanning endovascular neuromodulation, soft bioelectronics, device biocompatibility/hemocompatibility, and clinical translation.

For more information about NeuroBionics and evStim, visit neurobionics.io.

🌟 Neurotech Pulse Special Edition: Call for Contributions!

Calling all researchers and writers! Want to showcase your work in our upcoming Neurotech Insights edition? Reach over 5,000+ neurotech enthusiasts by sharing your innovative research. Submit your details and work to saman.nawaz@nexstem.ai

For centuries, emotions were dismissed as irrational disturbances in the rational mind. Today, neuroscience tells a very different story. Emotions are integral to cognition and survival. They are fast, coordinated loops between brain and body that shape every decision we make. What is new and potentially transformative is that these loops can now be decoded, measured, and even influenced in real time.

The Brain–Body Circuit of Emotion

Emotions emerge from the interplay of multiple neural systems. The amygdala detects threats and rewards within milliseconds, well before conscious awareness. The prefrontal cortex then evaluates and regulates these raw signals, determining whether to amplify or suppress them. The insula integrates interoceptive signals, the tightness in your stomach or the catch in your breath, linking internal physiology with subjective feeling.

At the same time, neurochemistry orchestrates emotional tone. Dopamine encodes motivation and reward, serotonin stabilizes mood, and norepinephrine heightens vigilance. None of these processes exists in isolation. Together, they constitute what Antonio Damasio has described as the “feeling brain”: a dynamic integration of cognition and physiology.

Biosignals That Reveal Feeling

What makes emotions scientifically accessible is that they are not confined to neural activity; they leave distinct traces across the body.

Electroencephalography (EEG) captures the brain’s fast electrical signatures. Frontal alpha asymmetry, for instance, has long been used as an index of emotional valence, left-frontal activity correlating with approach-related positive affect, right-frontal with withdrawal or fear (Davidson, 2004). Transient increases in theta and gamma oscillations reflect heightened arousal and attentional engagement (Balconi & Pozzoli, 2009).

Heart rate variability (HRV) reflects the balance of sympathetic and parasympathetic control. High HRV indicates adaptive regulation and emotional flexibility, whereas persistently low HRV is associated with stress, anxiety, and vulnerability to depression (Thayer et al., 2012). Electrodermal activity (EDA), the subtle changes in skin conductance caused by sweat gland activity, provides a robust marker of arousal, though it cannot discriminate between fear and excitement.

Even expression and voice, often considered superficial, carry valuable data. Facial electromyography (EMG) detects minute contractions in frown or smile muscles, while micro-variations in vocal pitch and prosody betray stress or joy that words alone may conceal.

No single channel provides a complete account. The most promising direction in affective neuroscience is multimodal fusion, integrating EEG, HRV, EDA, and expressive cues into coherent models of emotional state.

Mapping the Emotional Landscape

Among the many frameworks for classifying emotions, Russell’s Circumplex Model remains one of the most useful for connecting biosignals with subjective experience. Emotions can be positioned on two axes:

• Valence: ranging from pleasant to unpleasant.

• Arousal: ranging from calm to excited.

Fear and excitement both involve high arousal, but their valence diverges. This is why a racing heart and sweaty palms may be indistinguishable at the physiological level; only context or multimodal integration reveals whether they signal thrill or terror.

From Laboratory to Real Life

Early emotion research relied on highly controlled paradigms: presenting fearful faces, startling noises, or emotionally charged images. While scientifically rigorous, such experiments rarely capture the complexity of real-world experience.

In the last decade, however, emotion decoding has entered naturalistic contexts. fMRI studies show synchronized amygdala activation in audiences watching the same emotionally intense film (Nummenmaa et al., 2012). Portable EEG has been deployed in classrooms to track stress during examinations (Minguillón et al., 2016). Virtual reality therapies now combine immersive scenarios with biosignal monitoring to treat phobias and PTSD. In the automotive industry, companies such as Affectiva and Smart Eye have developed systems that monitor driver fatigue, anger, or distraction in real time.

The lesson is clear: emotions can be measured not only in the lab but also in the wild, and doing so unlocks profound applications.

Affective Computing and Human-Aware Systems

The concept of machines that can recognize and respond to human emotions, first articulated by Rosalind Picard in the 1990s, is no longer speculative. Affective computing has moved into practical deployment.

Wearables like the Empatica E4 wristband monitor HRV and EDA for stress and anxiety research. Adaptive learning systems use EEG and facial data to adjust lesson pace in response to frustration. Emotion-aware driver monitoring is being integrated into cars to reduce accident risk. Consumer devices from companies like Muse and Emotiv are experimenting with emotion-sensitive meditation and gaming.

This progression signals a broader shift: we are building machines that are not merely task-aware, but affect-aware.

Beyond Decoding: Toward Emotional Modulation

If emotions can be measured, can they also be modulated? Research suggests they can. Neurofeedback allows individuals to consciously regulate their emotional states by observing real-time EEG or HRV patterns. Non-invasive brain stimulation techniques such as tDCS and tACS can alter prefrontal excitability, with evidence of reduced anxiety and enhanced attentional control

The frontier lies in closed-loop brain–computer interfaces. These systems detect emotional states in real time and deliver corrective feedback or stimulation automatically. Such technology raises the possibility of wearable systems that can pre-emptively counteract anxiety before a public presentation, or dampen stress reactivity in high-stakes environments like aviation or surgery.

Ethical Considerations

The ability to decode and influence emotion carries obvious risks. Misclassification is a persistent challenge; concentration and anger may look identical in EEG signatures. Cultural variability further complicates interpretation: a scowl in one culture may reflect focus rather than hostility.

Privacy is perhaps the most pressing issue. Should employers or insurers have access to your stress levels? Should governments deploy affective computing in public surveillance? The potential for manipulation is equally concerning. Emotion-aware AI could be exploited to shape consumer behavior, political opinion, or even collective sentiment.

Without clear ethical frameworks and strict consent protocols, affective technologies risk eroding trust and autonomy.

Closing Thought: Emotion as Operating System

In the early 2000s, it was fashionable to describe the brain as a computer. Two decades of research have shown this analogy is incomplete. If the brain is a computer, then emotion is not a software bug; it is the operating system.

Decoding emotions offers powerful insights into human behavior. But the true test of this technology will not be whether we can measure feelings; it will be whether we can do so responsibly, in ways that support human well-being rather than compromise it.

Emotion is not noise. It is a signal. And increasingly, our machines are learning how to listen.

🌟 Neurotech Pulse Special Edition: Call for Contributions!

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⚡️Neurotech Newsflash

• Neuralink’s First Patient Shares Update: 18 months post-surgery, Noland Arbaugh says the brain implant lets him study, game, and control devices by thought, restoring independence after paralysis. (Read more)

• BCI Decodes Inner Speech on Command: A Stanford-led team built a brain-computer interface that can decode inner monologues with up to 74% accuracy. The system only activates with a chosen keyword, protecting mental privacy while enabling communication for people with severe paralysis. (Read more)

• Sam Altman Eyes BCI Startup to Rival Neuralink: Altman is reportedly co-founding Merge Labs, a brain-computer interface venture valued at ~$850M, with possible backing from OpenAI. Still early, it positions Altman against Musk in the race for human–AI integration. (Read more)

• Israel Prepares for World’s First Spinal Cord Transplant: Tel Aviv University will attempt the first human spinal cord implant using lab-grown tissue from a patient’s own cells. Approved for compassionate use in eight patients, the approach has restored mobility in paralyzed animals. (Read more)

• FDA Clears ONWARD Medical Spinal Study: The FDA has approved ONWARD’s Empower BP trial to test its ARC-IM implant, a neurostimulation device aimed at stabilizing blood pressure in spinal cord injury patients. Enrollment at ~20 sites will begin by late 2025. (Read more)

• Synchron Moves Toward Pilot Study: After showing an ALS patient controlling an iPad with thought alone, Synchron is advancing its fully wireless Stentrode into a pilot study, with pivotal trials expected in 2026. (Read more)

💰Notable Funding

• Neurovalens Raises £6M for Global Expansion: Belfast-based Neurovalens secured £6M (€6.95M) to scale its FDA-cleared neurostimulation devices for insomnia and anxiety, and to pursue approvals for PTSD treatment in the U.S. and beyond. (Read more)

• Jocasta Neuroscience Raises $35M Series A: Arizona-based Jocasta Neuroscience secured $35M to advance its longevity protein α-Klotho (JN-0413) into Phase 1 trials for cognitive decline in neurodegenerative diseases, with IND submission planned for late 2026. (Read more)

• SetPoint Medical Raises $140M: SetPoint Medical secured $140M to commercialize its FDA-approved neuroimmune therapy for rheumatoid arthritis and expand into other autoimmune conditions. (Read more)

🧠 Neurotech Trends:

1. China Unveils 2030 Roadmap to Lead Global BCI Industry: Seven government agencies, including MIIT, have released national guidelines to make China a world leader in brain-computer interfaces by 2030. The plan sets milestones for 2027 (breakthroughs in electrodes, chips, and integrated systems with international standards) and 2030 (2–3 globally influential enterprises, industrial clusters, and advanced business models). Both implantable and wearable BCIs are targeted, with lighter, faster devices, precision surgical robots, and next-gen BCI chips highlighted as priorities. Stock markets responded quickly, with BCI-linked companies in Hong Kong seeing double-digit gains. (Read more)

2. Sleep Apnea Implant Gains FDA Approval Amid Patent Clash: Nyxoah’s Genio system, a battery-free implant that stimulates hypoglossal nerves to keep airways open, has received FDA approval as an alternative to CPAP for obstructive sleep apnea. In trials, it reduced apnea episodes by 71%, but its U.S. launch faces a roadblock: rival Inspire Medical has filed a patent suit seeking to block entry. With ~30M Americans affected by OSA, the ruling could shape the competitive landscape of sleep neurotech. (Read more)

3. CorTec Begins First Human Trial of Wireless Stroke Rehab Implant: Germany’s CorTec has implanted its fully wireless Brain Interchange BCI in a stroke patient, testing whether cortical stimulation combined with physiotherapy can restore hand and arm movement. The device records brain signals, delivers targeted stimulation, and charges wirelessly through the skin, reducing infection risks tied to connectors. Early safety results will guide expansion to more patients, with pivotal trials targeted for 2027. (Read more)

📘 Neurotech Articles:

1. AI Cuts Stroke Diagnosis Time in UK Hospitals: Russells Hall Hospital in England has deployed RapidAI to speed up stroke triage, sending brain scans directly to consultants’ phones within seconds. The system shortens diagnosis by up to an hour, enabling faster treatment decisions and even detecting strokes in patients without typical symptoms. The rollout is part of the UK’s broader plan to integrate AI across the NHS. (Read more)

2. Targeting Pain Without Opioids: Amygdala Neurons Offer a New Path
   Researchers at UNC, Stanford, and UCSF have pinpointed specific neurons in the amygdala that make pain feel unpleasant, thereby separating suffering from sensation. With a new $12M NIH grant, they’re developing small molecules to block these circuits without addictive opioid effects. Still in preclinical stages, the approach could transform chronic pain management by focusing on the brain’s emotional processing of pain rather than its sensory detection. (Read more)

3. Smartwatches Detect Parkinson’s Earlier Than Clinical Scores: A study from Dr. Cynthia Sandor’s team (UK DRI at Imperial) shows that long-term smartwatch data can detect early Parkinson’s-related brain changes with higher sensitivity than gold-standard clinical risk scores. Using data from the Michael J. Fox Foundation’s PPMI cohort, researchers developed a digital risk score from sleep, heart rate, and activity patterns. When combined with smell testing, the model identified over 80% of individuals with abnormal brain scans or spinal fluid markers, offering a non-invasive, low-cost tool for early screening. (Read more)

🌐 Neurotech Edu. and Events:

1. MiNT UK 2025: Neurotechnology in Practice – Measuring Impact on Patient Outcomes
   📅 Date: October 16, 2025 | 📍 CentrEd at ExCeL, London

   Why Attend the Event?
   Join clinicians, researchers, and innovators for a full-day conference on how neurotechnology is transforming clinical practice and patient outcomes. The program includes expert panels, interactive workshops, and poster sessions covering applications in neurorehabilitation, therapy, and beyond.

   Link to register: Register here

2. IEEE Brain Discovery and Neurotechnology Workshop
   📅 Date: September 12–13, 2025 | Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue, Vancouver

   Why Attend the Event?
   Join global researchers and clinicians to explore breakthroughs in neurotechnology, machine learning for brain discovery, and clinical impact. The workshop features keynotes, panels on ethics and standards, and sessions highlighting future growth areas in neuroengineering.

   Link to register: Register here

🎬Case Studies

🎬 Case Study Spotlight: Precision Neuroscience – The Layer 7 Cortical Interface

In this edition’s case study spotlight, we highlight Precision Neuroscience, a rapidly advancing BCI company co-founded by former Neuralink engineer Dr. Ben Rapoport. Precision is developing the Layer 7 Cortical Interface, a thin-film electrode array that conforms to the surface of the brain, enabling thousands of channels of high-resolution recording and stimulation through a minimally invasive, reversible procedure. With FDA clearance secured in 2025 and early clinical trials underway, Precision is positioning its system as a safer, scalable alternative to penetrating implants.

Overview: The Layer 7 Cortical Interface is a flexible, modular array, 1/5th the thickness of a human hair, engineered to capture neural activity at the micron scale without damaging cortical tissue. Using a patented cranial micro-slit technique, the array can be placed on the brain’s surface within minutes and removed if needed. Each array contains 1,024 electrodes, and multiple arrays can be combined to cover larger regions of the cortex. The system is fully implantable, powered through inductive charging, and paired with machine learning software to decode neural intent and deliver precise bidirectional stimulation.

Use Case Highlights:

• Restoring Communication & Independence: Enables patients with paralysis (e.g., ALS, SCI) to control digital devices like computers, tablets, smart home systems through thought alone.

• Neurorehabilitation: Combines stimulation with physical therapy to promote neuroplasticity in stroke recovery.

• Bidirectional Recording & Stimulation: Provides both neural signal capture and targeted stimulation, laying the groundwork for adaptive therapies in conditions such as refractory depression and epilepsy.

• High-Resolution Neural Research: Offers researchers unprecedented micron-scale data density for mapping and decoding brain activity across regions.

Target Audience:

• Patients with severe paralysis and neurodegenerative conditions

• Neurosurgeons and clinicians specializing in stroke, epilepsy, and movement disorders

• Research institutions advancing cortical recording and stimulation methods

• Biotech and medtech partners developing BCI-driven therapies

Key Partnerships:
Precision is working with top academic hospitals and research institutes in the U.S. to conduct first-in-human trials and expand its clinical research footprint. In parallel, the company has invested in dedicated microfabrication facilities to strengthen control over its technology development.

Leadership Team:
Precision is led by neurosurgeon and BCI pioneer Dr. Ben Rapoport (Co-founder & CSO) and business builder Michael Mager (Co-founder & CEO), supported by a multidisciplinary team with expertise spanning neurosurgery, AI, chip design, and clinical translation.

For more information about Precision Neuroscience and the Layer 7 Cortical Interface, visit precisionneuro.io.

🌟 Neurotech Pulse Special Edition: Call for Contributions!

Calling all researchers and writers! Want to showcase your work in our upcoming Neurotech Insights edition? Reach over 10,000+ neurotech enthusiasts by sharing your innovative research. Submit your details and work to saman.nawaz@nexstem.ai

You know that moment when your hand reaches for your phone before your mind even realizes it? That's not a failure of willpower; that's faulty neural wiring executing perfectly. Our habits, destructive or beneficial, are deeply embedded circuits in the brain's architecture. And now, neurotechnology is learning to read, rewrite, and even reroute those patterns with unprecedented precision.

Welcome to the new frontier of addiction treatment: where brain science meets wearable technology, and where cravings may be conquered not through willpower alone, but by carefully calibrated electrical interventions targeting the very neural circuits that drive compulsive behavior.

From Habit Loops to Neural Hijacking

"Habits are simply a series of automatic solutions that solve the stresses and boredom of daily life." – James Clear

Every habit you possess, morning coffee ritual, evening social media scroll, that 3 p.m. sugar craving originates as a neurochemical feedback loop. The environmental cue triggers a neurological craving, the behavioral routine satisfies it, and the dopaminergic reward locks the pattern into long-term memory.

In addiction, this natural learning mechanism becomes a neural hijacking operation. The brain's reward pathway, particularly the mesolimbic dopamine system connecting the ventral tegmental area to the nucleus accumbens, gets rewired to overvalue the addictive substance or behavior while systematically devaluing alternative rewards (Volkow et al., 2016).

The prefrontal cortex, responsible for executive control and decision-making, simultaneously weakens its inhibitory influence over the limbic reward system. This creates a neurobiological perfect storm: hyperactive craving circuits combined with suppressed control networks.

Breaking this cycle through traditional approaches, behavioral therapy, pharmacological intervention, or sheer determination has shown limited long-term success. But what if we could intervene directly at the circuit level, targeting the specific neural patterns that generate compulsive behavior?

The Neurotech Arsenal: Precision Neural Intervention

Recent breakthroughs in non-invasive brain stimulation and real-time neurofeedback are transforming theoretical possibilities into clinical realities:

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS): High-frequency magnetic pulses target the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, enhancing cognitive control while simultaneously modulating connected limbic structures. Clinical trials demonstrate measurable reductions in craving intensity across multiple addiction types (Hanlon et al., 2017).

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS): Low-intensity electrical currents (1-2 mA) applied to specific cortical regions can enhance or suppress neural activity for hours after stimulation. Studies show that anodal stimulation of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex significantly reduces relapse rates in substance users (Boggio et al., 2008). The 2023 meta-analysis found that tDCS also produced medium effect sizes for drug use and craving, though they were highly variable and less robust than rTMS; right anodal DLPFC stimulation appeared to be most efficacious (Mehta et al., 2023).

Closed-Loop Neurofeedback Systems: Advanced EEG-based devices monitor real-time neural signatures associated with craving states and provide immediate feedback through visual, auditory, or haptic channels, enabling users to consciously modulate their brain activity patterns. Based on published clinical studies and employing efficacy criteria adapted by the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback and the International Society for Neurofeedback and Research, alpha theta training shows particular promise (Sokhadze et al., 2008).

Clinical Evidence: Neuromodulation in Addiction

While traditional treatments often struggle with long-term relapse, neuromodulation has shown promising results. A 2023 systematic review of 94 studies (4,306 participants) found that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) produced medium to large reductions in both substance use and craving. Effects were strongest when multi-session protocols were applied and when the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), a key region for executive control, was targeted (Mehta et al., 2023).

This growing body of evidence suggests that circuit-level interventions could become a powerful complement to behavioral and pharmacological therapies in treating addiction.

The Neural Mechanics: Debugging Brain Code

Addiction fundamentally represents dysregulated neural network dynamics. The condition strengthens dopaminergic reward circuits while weakening prefrontal executive control networks, creating a neurobiological imbalance that manifests as compulsive behavior.

Neurotech interventions operate on both sides of this equation:

Downregulating Hyperactive Reward Circuits: Targeted inhibitory stimulation of the nucleus accumbens and associated structures reduces the salience of addiction-related cues, effectively "turning down the volume" on craving signals.

Enhancing Executive Control Networks: Excitatory stimulation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex strengthens cognitive control capabilities, making resistance to impulses feel less effortful and more automatic.

Consider this computational analogy: addiction creates buggy neural code where certain subroutines (craving responses) consume excessive processing power while critical functions (impulse control) operate with insufficient resources. Neurotech interventions function like targeted software patches, rebalancing computational load across neural networks.

The Technical Implementation: From Lab to Life

Current neurotech applications fall into three categories:

Clinical-Grade Systems: Hospital-based TMS and deep brain stimulation procedures requiring medical supervision but offering the most precise neural targeting. Deep TMS systems using H-coil technology have received FDA clearance for smoking cessation, marking the first regulatory approval for neuromodulation in addiction treatment (Zangen et al., 2021).

Consumer Neurofeedback Devices: Wearable EEG systems like Muse, Emotiv, and emerging startups providing real-time brain state monitoring and biofeedback training. Clinical studies show that automated EEG biofeedback systems can effectively address attention deficits prevalent among individuals with substance use disorders, which may interfere with recovery (Sokhadze et al., 2008).

Hybrid Therapeutic Platforms: Integration of neurostimulation with AI-powered behavioral coaching, creating personalized intervention protocols adapted to individual neural signatures. Research indicates that combining Matrix Model psychotherapy with tDCS may improve both cognition and craving in methamphetamine use disorder patients.

The most promising developments involve closed-loop systems that detect craving-related neural patterns and automatically deliver countermeasures. Imagine a wearable device that senses the onset of addictive urges and immediately applies targeted neuromodulation to interrupt the craving cascade.

This system diagram depicts a real-time neurofeedback platform for addiction treatment. EEG sensors continuously monitor brain activity, feeding raw signals to AI algorithms that detect craving-related neural patterns within 100ms. Upon detection, the system triggers immediate interventions through three modalities: visual feedback (color/progress indicators), audio feedback (tone modulation/binaural beats), and direct neuromodulation (tDCS stimulation). The closed-loop design enables continuous adaptation, with intervention effects feeding back to influence subsequent brain states and treatment responses.

The Ethical Framework: Questions We Must Address

As neurotechnology gains the ability to directly modify behavior patterns, several critical questions emerge:

Identity and Autonomy: If a device can alter your cravings, is it changing your authentic self? Does neural enhancement represent self-improvement or self-replacement?

Access and Equity: Will effective neurotech treatments create new forms of cognitive inequality, where only the wealthy can afford neural optimization?

Dependency Transfer: Could individuals become psychologically dependent on neurotech devices instead of developing natural coping mechanisms?

Consent and Coercion: In legal or therapeutic contexts, when does neural intervention become involuntary behavioral modification?

Leading neuroethicists propose a framework emphasizing informed consent, gradual implementation paired with traditional therapy, and ensuring that neurotech enhances rather than replaces human agency.

Pipeline Preview: The Next Five Years

"The best way to predict the future is to invent it." – Alan Kay

Expect rapid development across multiple fronts:

Consumer Integration: Neurofeedback capabilities built into mainstream wearables (smartwatches, fitness trackers), providing continuous craving monitoring and intervention.

Personalized Neural Signatures: AI-driven analysis of individual brain patterns to create customized stimulation protocols optimized for each person's unique neural architecture. Recent findings suggest that MRI-neuronavigation-guided stimulation may achieve greater precision, as studies in depression have demonstrated that clinical outcomes improve significantly when patients are stimulated closer to fMRI-personalized targets (Mehta et al., 2023).

Predictive Intervention Systems: Machine learning algorithms that detect pre-craving neural states and implement preventive neuromodulation before conscious urges emerge. The International Network of Transcranial Stimulation/TMS Trials for Addiction Medicine (INTAM), a collaborative network of over 80 investigators worldwide, is establishing guidelines for best practices in this emerging field.

Combination Therapies: Integrated platforms merging neurotech with digital therapeutics, creating comprehensive treatment ecosystems addressing both neural and behavioral aspects of addiction. Evidence suggests accelerated treatment paradigms may be promising, with some studies showing tolerability of three intermittent theta burst stimulation sessions per day for 10 days in cocaine use reduction (Mehta et al., 2023).

Final Thought: The Programmable Brain

We stand at an inflection point in human history, where the boundary between biological limitations and technological possibilities is dissolving. Addiction, long viewed through moral, psychological, or chemical lenses, is increasingly understood as a neural pattern disorder, and patterns can be reprogrammed.

The technology exists. The clinical evidence is mounting. The remaining challenges are implementation, accessibility, and ensuring that neural enhancement serves human flourishing rather than creating new forms of technological dependence.

In the battle between conscious intention and subconscious neural programming, we're finally giving consciousness some serious hardware support. The question isn't whether neurotech will transform addiction treatment; it's how quickly we can make these interventions safe, effective, and available to the millions who need them.

The age of purely willpower-based recovery is ending. The era of neurotechnology-assisted behavioral change has begun.

🔦 Researcher Spotlight 🔦

We are excited to feature Deepta Batra , a researcher passionate about the intersection of AI, computational biology, and precision medicine. With experience spanning computational neuroscience, systems biology, and multi-omics analysis, she focuses on applying machine learning to large-scale clinical datasets to decode disease mechanisms and uncover therapeutic targets.

Her work reflects a vision of turning complex health data into scalable, human-relevant models that can accelerate diagnostics, drug discovery, and personalized care.

🌟 Neurotech Pulse Special Edition: Call for Contributions!

Calling all researchers and writers! Want to showcase your work in our upcoming Neurotech Insights edition? Reach over 10,000+ neurotech enthusiasts by sharing your innovative research. Submit your details and work to saman.nawaz@nexstem.ai