A revolutionary brain implant using ultrasound technology to alter brain activity is set for its first NHS trial, promising new hope for patients with conditions like depression, addiction, OCD, and epilepsy.
Key Points at a Glance
- The £6.5 million trial will test a brain-computer interface (BCI) implant using ultrasound technology to modulate brain activity.
- The device, developed by Forest Neurotech, is minimally invasive and designed to be placed beneath the skull.
- The trial aims to address treatment-resistant conditions, providing a safer alternative to traditional invasive brain implants.
- Ethical concerns and potential neuro-discrimination risks are being actively debated alongside the technological advancements.
The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) is preparing to trial a brain-computer interface (BCI) device that uses ultrasound to map and modify brain activity. Funded by the UK’s Advanced Research and Invention Agency (Aria), the £6.5 million trial will evaluate the device’s safety and efficacy in treating various neurological and psychiatric conditions.
Unlike traditional invasive implants, which require electrodes to be surgically inserted into the brain, this device is designed to sit beneath the skull but outside the brain. It uses ultrasound to “read” brain activity and deliver targeted pulses to stimulate specific neuronal clusters. This method could revolutionize treatments for patients with conditions like depression, addiction, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and epilepsy.
“Neurotechnologies can help a much broader range of people than we thought,” says Jacques Carolan, Aria’s program director. “This is a turning point for treating conditions that have so far been resistant to conventional therapies.”
Developed by the U.S.-based non-profit Forest Neurotech, the implant—dubbed Forest 1—is described as the most advanced BCI in the world. It can both monitor and adjust brain activity across multiple regions simultaneously, making it suitable for addressing complex “circuit-level” conditions.
The technology works by detecting subtle changes in blood flow to generate highly detailed 3D maps of brain activity, with a spatial resolution about 100 times greater than a typical functional MRI scan. It can then deliver focused ultrasound waves to specific areas of the brain, “nudging” neurons to fire and altering their activity.
Aimun Jamjoom, a neurosurgeon leading the project, explains: “This is a less invasive technique, and the ability to offer safer surgery is very exciting. For conditions like depression or epilepsy, where many patients see little to no improvement, this technology could provide a life-changing solution.”
The NHS trial will involve around 30 participants who have previously undergone surgeries that temporarily removed parts of their skull to alleviate critical brain pressure. This unique patient group allows the device to be tested without the need for additional invasive surgery. Participants will wear the device on their scalp for two-hour sessions, during which their brain activity will be monitored, and mood changes will be assessed.
The device’s ability to enhance mood and motivation will be a key focus. Researchers aim to determine if its effects are reliable and safe, with particular attention given to minimizing potential side effects, such as unintended changes to personality or decision-making.
“What we’re trying to minimize is heat,” says Professor Elsa Fouragnan, a neuroscientist collaborating on the project. “There’s a safety and efficacy trade-off that we’re carefully managing.”
As with any groundbreaking technology, the Forest 1 implant raises significant ethical questions. Experts warn of potential risks related to privacy, data ownership, and neuro-discrimination—where brain data could be used to judge employability or insurance eligibility.
“These innovations are moving rapidly, but we must address the neuroethical issues they bring,” says Clare Elwell, professor of medical physics at University College London. “We’re accessing neural pathways in unprecedented ways, and it’s crucial to act in patients’ best interests.”
If successful, the trial could pave the way for broader clinical applications. Forest Neurotech plans to expand the technology’s use to treat a wide range of conditions, potentially improving the lives of millions of patients worldwide. Beyond its therapeutic potential, the technology could revolutionize neuroscience by providing real-time insights into brain activity and behavior.
This trial is part of Aria’s £69 million precision neurotechnologies initiative, which includes projects such as neural robots for epilepsy treatment and lab-grown brain organoids. Aria was established in 2023 with a mission to fund high-risk, high-reward scientific endeavors, inspired by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
As the trial progresses, scientists, ethicists, and clinicians will monitor its impact closely, balancing the promise of cutting-edge neurotechnology with the responsibility to safeguard patient welfare and societal values.
