- Groundbreaking trial to test non-invasive brain-computer interface.
- Device uses ultrasound to stimulate brain activity and potentially treat conditions like depression, addiction, OCD, and epilepsy.
- Trial funded by UK’s Advanced Research and Invention Agency (Aria).
- Raises ethical considerations regarding data privacy and potential for misuse.
As reported by The Guardian, a pioneering NHS trial is set to explore the potential of a brain-computer interface (BCI) that uses ultrasound to modulate brain activity and improve mood. The device, implanted beneath the skull but outside the brain itself, will be tested for safety and tolerability in approximately 30 patients as part of a £6.5 million trial funded by the UK’s Advanced Research and Invention Agency (Aria).
Researchers hope this technology could revolutionize treatment for a range of conditions, including depression, addiction, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and epilepsy, by rebalancing disrupted brain activity patterns. Aria’s program director, Jacques Carolan, emphasized the broad potential of neurotechnologies, stating, “We are at a turning point in both the conditions we hope we can treat and the new types of technologies emerging to do that.”
This trial follows recent advancements in BCI technology, including clinical trials by Elon Musk’s Neuralink for paralysis and another study restoring communication to stroke patients. However, these advancements also raise important ethical concerns regarding data ownership, privacy, the potential for enhancement, and the risk of neuro-discrimination. Clare Elwell, professor of medical physics at UCL, stressed the need for careful consideration of these neuroethical issues, stating, “We’re now accessing neural pathways in a way that we haven’t been able to do before, so we need to carefully consider the clinical impact of any intervention and ensure we always act in the best interests of the patient.”
The device being tested, Forest 1, was developed by the US-based non-profit Forest Neurotech. Unlike invasive implants that insert electrodes directly into the brain, Forest 1 uses ultrasound to both monitor and modify brain activity. Aria considers it “the most advanced BCI in the world” due to its ability to target multiple brain regions simultaneously. This capability expands its potential applications to a larger patient population affected by “circuit level” conditions like depression, anxiety, and epilepsy.
Aimun Jamjoom, the consultant neurosurgeon leading the project at Barking, Havering and Redbridge university hospitals NHS trust, highlighted the less invasive nature of the technique and its potential to offer a safer surgical option. He noted that a significant portion of patients with conditions like depression and epilepsy don’t respond to existing treatments, and this technology could be life-changing for them.
The NHS trial will initially involve patients who have undergone a craniotomy (removal of part of the skull) due to brain injury, allowing for testing without additional surgery. The ultrasound device, placed beneath the skull, will be used to create 3D maps of brain activity and deliver focused ultrasound pulses to specific neuron clusters. Participants will wear the device for two hours, and researchers will monitor their brain activity and assess changes in mood and motivation.
Safety is a key consideration, as ultrasound can generate heat in tissues. Professor Elsa Fouragnan, a neuroscientist collaborating on the project, emphasized the importance of minimizing heat and ensuring that personality or decision-making are not unintentionally altered.
The three-and-a-half-year study begins in March, with the first eight months dedicated to regulatory approval. If successful, Forest hopes to proceed with a full clinical trial for a condition such as depression. The Forest 1 trial is part of a larger £69 million precision neurotechnologies program by Aria, which includes other projects exploring neural robots, genetic engineering of brain cells, and lab-grown brain organoids. Aria, established in 2023, is the UK’s equivalent of the US’s Darpa and funds high-risk, high-reward scientific research.
