Neurotechnology Innovations

UC Berkeley and UCSF just brought real-time speech back to someone who couldn’t speak for 18 years (insane!). For people with paralysis and anarthria, the delay and effort of current AAC tools can make natural conversation nearly impossible. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗔𝗜-𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗻𝗼 𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱. 1. Restored speech in a participant using 253-channel ECoG, 18 years after brainstem stroke and complete speech loss. 2. Trained deep learning decoders to synthesize audio and text every 80 ms based on silent speech attempts, with no vocal sound needed. 3. Streamed speech at 47.5 words per minute with just 1.12s latency = 8× faster than prior state-of-the-art neuroprostheses. 4. Matched the participant’s original voice using a pre-injury recording, bringing back not just words but vocal identity. Bimodal decoder architecture they used was cool. It's interesting how they got to low-latency and a synchronized output from the system. This was done by sharing a neural encoder and employing separate joiners and language models for both acoustic-speech units and text Other tidbits used was convolutional layers with unidirectional GRUs and LSTM-based language models. Absolutely love seeing AI used in practical ways to bring back joy and hope to people who are paralyzed!! Here's the awesome work: https://lnkd.in/ghqX5EB2 Congrats to Kaylo Littlejohn, Cheol Jun Cho, Jessie Liu, Edward Chang, Gopala Krishna Anumanchipalli, and co! I post my takes on the latest developments in health AI – 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱! Also, check out my health AI blog here: https://lnkd.in/g3nrQFxW

AI just gave a paralyzed woman her voice back. In 2016, Ann, a 30-year-old teacher, suffered a stroke that left her unable to speak or move - trapped in her own body with Locked-In Syndrome for almost two decades. But now, thanks to a breakthrough brain-computer interface (BCI), she is communicating again - through a digital avatar. This new AI-powered technology decodes brain signals directly into speech and facial expressions. Here’s how the team at University of California, San Francisco made this breakthrough: 1. Brain signal decoding Researchers implanted 253 microelectrodes on the surface of Ann’s brain, capturing the brain signals that would normally control speech. This allowed her to communicate at 80 words per minute, just by thinking about them. 2. Recreating a natural voice Researchers used a sophisticated AI that synthesized Ann’s voice from a pre-stroke recording - her wedding day speech. This restoration wasn’t just robotic speech generation, it brought back her real voice. 3. Bringing emotion and expression back The team went further by combining speech synthesis with facial animation. A screen displayed Ann’s digital avatar, translating her brain signals into facial expressions, allowing it to smile, frown, and express emotions along with her restored voice. 4. The road to independence The next step in this research was to develop a wireless version of the system that would free Ann (and others like her) from the need for physical connections to a computer. This is life-changing tech that opens new doors for millions of people living with severe paralysis. It is a pivotal moment in the intersection of AI, neuroscience, and healthcare. But there's one concern: accessibility. While this technology is revolutionary, its high costs make it inaccessible for many who need it most. Could AI-powered speech technology be the future of healthcare for those with paralysis? Video credit: UC San Francisco (UCFS) on YouTube. #innovation #ai #technology #healthcare

Brain implant will be trialled by UK NHS to help treat neural conditions >> 🧠An NHS Trust will trial a whole-brain computer interface developed by Forest Neurotech using ultrasound to measure and modulate brain activity 🧠 The ultrasonic neural interface aims to treat conditions like depression, addiction, and OCD and will undergo a three-and-a-half-year safety and tolerability study funded by Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA) 🧠 The trial will recruit around 30 participants with skull defects to test the device, which interfaces with the brain via the skin 🧠 The research focuses on targeting neural circuits to develop personalised, minimally invasive therapies for neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders 🧠 ARIA’s Precision Neurotechnologies programme will invest £69 million over four years into brain-computer interface technologies across 18 research teams, including projects on Alzheimer’s, epilepsy, and depression 🧠 Other ARIA-funded projects include advanced neural robots for epilepsy treatment and gene therapy delivery across the blood-brain barrier 👇Link to article in comments below #DigitalHealth #HealthTech

#Meta #AI’s Latest Breakthrough: Decoding Thoughts into Text: What’s Next? Imagine a future where your brainwaves translate directly into words on a screen. No typing, no speaking—just thinking. Meta AI’s latest research is turning this into reality. Their new model can decode brain activity into text with surprising accuracy, unlocking groundbreaking possibilities: 🔹 Assistive communication for individuals with speech impairments or paralysis (Stroke Patients) 🔹 Enhanced human-AI interaction through direct brain-computer interfaces 🔹 Improved understanding of language processing disorders 🔹 Development of more intuitive and responsive AI language models 🔹 Personalized education, where learning adapts in real-time to cognitive engagement 🔹 Cognitive assessment tools that measure understanding beyond traditional tests 🔹 Greater accessibility in education, enabling students with disabilities to learn without barriers 🔹 Direct knowledge transfer, where brain-computer interfaces could one day allow for near-instant acquisition of complex information: reshaping how we learn and teach by 2050 This could redefine not only how we interact with technology but also how we teach, learn, and communicate. But with every breakthrough comes ethical concerns. #Privacy, consent, and potential misuse are critical questions we must address. So, what’s your take? Would you embrace brain-to-text technology, or does it raise too many ethical red flags? Let’s discuss. Please share post #DrGPT #AI #Neuroscience #Technology #MetaAI #FutureOfCommunication #HealthcareInnovation #EdTech #NeuroEducation #FutureOfLearning

Enhanced Brain Implant Translates Stroke Survivor’s Thoughts Into Nearly Instant Speech Using Artificial Intelligence The system harnesses technology similar to that of devices like Alexa and Siri, according to the researchers, and improves on a previous model Researchers connect stroke survivor Ann Johnson's brain implant to the experimental computer, which will allow her to speak by thinking words. Noah Berger A brain implant that converts neuron activity into audible words has given a stroke survivor with severe paralysis almost instantaneous speech. Ann Johnson became paralyzed and lost the ability to speak after suffering a stroke in 2005, when she was 30 years old. Eighteen years later, she consented to being surgically fitted with an experimental, thin, brain-reading implant that connects to a computer, officially called a brain-computer interface (BCI). Researchers placed the implant on her motor cortex, the part of the brain that controls physical movement, and it tracked her brain waves as she thought the words she wanted to say. As detailed in a study published Monday in the journal Nature Neuroscience, researchers used advances in artificial intelligence (A.I.) to improve the device’s ability to quickly translate that brain activity into synthetic speech—now, it’s almost instantaneous. The technology “brings the same rapid speech decoding capacity of devices like Alexa and Siri to neuroprostheses,” study co-author Gopala Anumanchipalli, a computer scientist at the University of California, Berkeley, says in a statement. Neuroprostheses are devices that can aid or replace lost bodily functions by connecting to the nervous system. “Using a similar type of algorithm, we found that we could decode neural data and, for the first time, enable near-synchronous voice streaming,” he adds. “The result is more naturalistic, fluent speech synthesis.” #AI #medicine #BrainComputerInterface #brainimplant #strokesurvivor #brainvoicesynthesis

OpenAI's work on synthetic voice generation could be immensely beneficial for patients. With this technology, my brilliant friend, Dr. Rohaid Ali, colleagues, and the Brown Neurosurgery Department have utilized OpenAI's voice engine to help a patient recover her voice after she lost her speech due to a vascular brain tumor. She was able to use a 15 second clip from a video for a class project to be the reference audio source for her synthetically reconstructed voice. For patients with neurodegenerative diseases or other chronic or as well as acute conditions that impact speech such as traumatic brain injury or stroke, this technology could help recover their voices using a simple voicemail they've left on a friend or family member's phone. A tremendous example of an application of AI in medicine that delivers real patient value and impact. This project also addresses what I've described as The Faster Horse Problem in AI (https://lnkd.in/eVv9WXqY). Instead of building a co-pilot, Dr. Ali and team are unlocking an entirely new class of tools for patients. With each new AI model and capability, we must work tirelessly on behalf of our patients to identify applications with such profound impact. Brown Neurosurgery Lifespan The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University #ai #artificialintelligence #generativeai #healthcare #medicine #neurosurgery https://lnkd.in/eB7hwwgd

**New Hope in Bipolar Depression Treatment with SAINT** Although first-line options for bipolar depression are available, none offer rapid relief—a critical and unmet need for those struggling with crippling symptoms. A new protocol, Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy (SAINT®), known for its rapid antidepressant effects in major depressive disorder, was examined in a preliminary study by Nolan Williams MD for treatment-resistant bipolar I depression. Study Overview: -Participants: Adults with treatment-resistant bipolar I disorder experiencing moderate to severe depression. Unfortunately it was a small sample size of only 10 patients. -Method: Personalized SAINT treatment targeting brain regions via resting-state fMRI, delivered with 10 sessions/day over 5 consecutive days -Primary Outcome: Changes in depression severity (MADRS score) Results: -Rapid Reduction: Mean MADRS scores decreased by 16.9 points -Encouraging Response: 50% response rate; 40% achieved remission immediately post-treatment. 60% reached remission within a month of treatment. -Safety: No serious side effects, manic episodes, or cognitive issues Conclusion: SAINT shows promising potential as a fast-acting treatment for bipolar I depression. Larger, double-blinded studies are essential to validate these encouraging results. #MentalHealthInnovation #BipolarDisorder #Neuromodulation #rTMS #Psychiatry https://lnkd.in/e8h6wWTA

The University of Michigan this week is highlight work from robotics PhD candidate Thomas E. Augenstein, who recently won this year's Richard and Eleanor Towner Prize for Outstanding PhD Research. Augenstein’s work revolves around the application of robotics in stroke rehabilitation. The research utilizes a broad range of technologies, including exoskeletons, brain stimulation, and virtual reality. A recently published paper on the topic explores how rehab systems can be developed at low costs. SepaRRo (pronounced similarly to the Japanese beer) is a “semi-passive” table top robot. The system is semi-passive in the sense that it relies on a computer-controlled breaking system for force feedback, rather than a motor. The result is a significantly thinner and lighter robot. The braking mechanism helps to control the patient’s arm. Using the system, subjects are learning how to draw shapes and even play a bit of Pac-Man. “In our research, we’re not just developing technologies,” Augenstein tells U of M," we’re fundamentally rethinking how rehabilitation can be made more accessible and effective for stroke survivors.” https://lnkd.in/eRqgA8Td

SYNCHRONIZING NERVE STIMULATION WITH HEARTBEAT BOOSTS EFFECTIVENESS Synchronizing vagus nerve stimulation with natural body rhythms, such as the heartbeat and breathing, significantly improves its effectiveness. This “electric pill” technique uses ear-mounted electrodes to stimulate the vagus nerve, targeting chronic conditions like pain and inflammation. Researchers found that stimulation during heart contraction (systole) and inhalation phases produced the strongest results. The findings suggest that tailoring nerve stimulation to individual physiological rhythms could make this non-invasive therapy more effective, especially for patients who previously didn’t respond. 3 Key Facts: 1. Timing Matters: Synchronizing stimulation with systole and inhalation enhances effectiveness. 2. Customizable Therapy: Aligning stimulation with individual rhythms may improve treatment success. 3. Non-Invasive Potential: Offers a targeted, gentle approach to chronic condition management. Source: https://lnkd.in/gZa_s2fN

🧠 Q1 2025 Digital Therapeutics (DTx) for Cognitive & Neurological Health – Global Startup Deep Dive is now live! 🌐📊 We’re thrilled to unveil the latest ntelligence on one of the fastest-moving frontiers in healthcare innovation: DTx for Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, stroke rehab, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and more. As cognitive decline and neurodegenerative conditions surge globally, startups are stepping up with AI-driven, neuroplasticity-enhancing, and regulator-backed DTx platforms designed to restore, protect, and personalize brain health. 💡 Evaluated with our AI Agent-Powered Digital Health Evaluation Platform, each solution was assessed across: ✅ General Well-being ✅ Scientific Validation ✅ Medical Compliance (FDA, CE, DiGA, HIPAA, GDPR) 📈 Categorized into: Top Tier (9.0+), Second Tier (8.0–8.99), Third Tier (7.0–7.99) 🏆 Top Tier Innovators DTx showing regulatory traction, breakthrough science, and real-world readiness: 🔹 Cognito Therapeutics, Inc. Therapeutics – Gamma frequency neuromodulation for Alzheimer’s 🔹 JOGO Health – Gamified EMG biofeedback for stroke & neuromuscular rehab 🔹 MedRhythms, Inc. – Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation for gait recovery in stroke & Parkinson’s 🔹 MindMaze – Immersive VR + motion capture for post-stroke and TBI neurorehab 🚀 Second Tier Standouts Backed by science, clinical pilots, and growing adoption, these innovators are poised to scale: 🧩 CogniFit, Moneta Health, Emocog, Neuroglee Health – AI-enhanced cognitive training for MCI, dementia, and early decline 🧬 Remepy – Hybrid Drugs combining molecules + digital neurotherapy 🧠 MapHabit – Assistive DTx for memory, speech, and early detection 🗣 Vigo Health, Newel Health, Constant Therapy – Speech & motor recovery in stroke, Parkinson’s, and MS 💡 Mymee, Nunaps Inc. – Neuroimmune and anxiety-focused cognitive care 🌱 Third Tier Innovators Early-stage or niche-focused platforms delivering creative, targeted interventions: 🎮 NeuronUP, CognoTrain, S-Alpha Therapeutics – Gamified cognitive rehab tools 📲 Myelin Healthcare, Serenity DTx, CognoTrain Wearables – VR and app-based cognitive stimulation for seniors 🧭 neumind – Stroke + caregiver engagement system 🧘 BodyMirror, AI-therapy dashboards, and caregiver support systems – Building the next-gen neurocare ecosystem 📈 Emerging Trends You Should Be Watching: 🔹 From reactive to preventive neurocare – Early intervention in cognitive decline is here 🔹 Digital + neuromodulation hybrids – Gamma entrainment, RAS, and biofeedback-based DTx are gaining traction 🔹 Multimodal ecosystems – Combining motion, cognition, speech, and emotional care 🔹 AI personalization – Customizing therapy plans, content, and engagement dynamically 🔹 Global regulatory momentum – FDA, CE, DiGA listings #DigitalTherapeutics #DTx #Cognitive #Neurorehabilitation #Alzheimers #Parkinsons #Stroke #AIinHealthcare #BrainHealth