Mapping the Mind: Paving the Way for Smarter Neurotech Solutions in 2025- Issue #14

Jan 09, 2025

As we step into 2025, we’re excited to present the 14th edition of Neurotech Pulse, showcasing groundbreaking innovations and remarkable milestones in the world of neurotechnology. This issue highlights extraordinary achievements, including Mount Sinai's record-setting brain mapping project, China’s pioneering work in thought-to-text communication through brain-computer interfaces, and exciting new collaborations in neurology and psychiatry. From brain-sensing earbuds to muscle implants enabling mind-controlled prosthetics, these advancements are unlocking new possibilities in healthcare.

We’re also thrilled to feature G.Tec’s revolutionary g.Pangolin system in our case study, which is raising the bar in brain mapping. As we move into a new year, we invite you to dive into these exciting stories and join us in shaping the future of neurotechnology.

Wishing you a Happy New Year, and thank you for being an integral part of our journey into the neurotech future. 🥂

⚡️Neurotech Newsflash

China Achieves Milestones in BCI, Enabling Thought-to-Text Communication: A Chinese research team has achieved a breakthrough in brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, allowing patients to convert thoughts into Chinese text for communication. This achievement, marking the world's first-ever New Year’s greeting delivered via thought, was made possible by the collaboration between NeuroXess, Huashan Hospital, and the Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Institute. (Read more)
Neuroelectrics and Neuronostics Partner to Advance EEG Solutions in Clinical Trials: Neuroelectrics and Neuronostics have joined forces to deliver a seamless integrated EEG solution for clinical trials. Combining Neuroelectrics’ wireless EEG systems with Neuronostics’ advanced analytics, this partnership optimizes participant selection, streamlines trial protocols, and enhances data insights, paving the way for breakthroughs in neurology and psychiatry. (Read more)
Mount Sinai Pioneers New Frontiers in Brain Mapping and Neurological Care: In collaboration with companies like Precision Neuroscience and Synchron, Mount Sinai is exploring new frontiers in stroke rehabilitation, ALS treatment, and intraoperative brain mapping. The health system’s latest work includes successfully deploying a record-breaking 4,096 electrodes to map brain functions in unprecedented detail, further pushing the boundaries of neurological care. (Read more)
Noninvasive Brain Training: Scientists Develop Technique to 'Write' Skills Directly into the Brain: Researchers from the University of Rochester, Yale, and Princeton have developed a groundbreaking technique that induces learning by directly manipulating brain activity patterns using real-time fMRI and neurofeedback. This method allows individuals to "learn" new skills without conscious effort, opening doors to revolutionary applications in education, rehabilitation, and mental health treatments. (Read more)
MW75 Neuro Featured in Popular Science’s Top 50 Innovations of 2024
The MW75 Neuro has been recognized as one of Popular Science's Top 50 Innovations of 2024, joining industry leaders like Apple, Samsung, and Oura. This recognition highlights its significant impact in the neurotechnology field. (Read more)
IDUN Technologies Partners with Analog Devices for Brain-Sensing Earbuds at CES 2025: IDUN Technologies has partnered with Analog Devices to launch next-generation brain-sensing earbuds at CES 2025. The collaboration integrates ADI’s technology to create compact, efficient hearables with advanced brain-sensing capabilities.
g.tec medical engineering GmbH Introduces Unicorn Blondy Check
Blondy Check is an innovative tool within the Unicorn Suite that leverages the P300 component of visually evoked potentials to categorize images based on user interest. (Read more)
NeuroPace Completes Enrollment for Brain-Stimulation Epilepsy Study: NeuroPace, Inc. has completed enrollment and implant procedures in its NIH-funded feasibility study of the RNS® System for treating Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS), a severe childhood-onset epilepsy. The study, backed by a $9.3 million grant from the NIH BRAIN Initiative, aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of brain-responsive neurostimulation in managing LGS seizures. This breakthrough technology could provide new hope for those with drug-resistant epilepsy. (Read more)

💰Notable Funding

Precision Neuroscience Raises $102M in Series C Funding (Read More)
Nexstem has secured $3.5 M in a funding round co-led by InfoEdge, Gruhas, Zupee, and Smile Group. (Read more)

🧠 Neurotech Trends:

Temporary Tattoo Printed on the Scalp Provides a Convenient Solution for Measuring Brainwaves: Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin, led by Nanshu Lu and José Millán, along with Ximin He from UCLA, have developed a liquid ink for printing electronic tattoos directly onto the scalp. This innovation simplifies the EEG process by replacing the cumbersome electrodes and wires with biocompatible e-tattoos that adhere even to hairy areas. These e-tattoos offer stable connectivity for over 24 hours, outperforming traditional setups. With potential applications in non-invasive brain-computer interfaces, this breakthrough could significantly enhance accessibility and ease of use for neurotech solutions. (Learn more)
Revolutionary Muscle Implants Set to Enhance Mind-Controlled Prosthetics: Phantom Neuro is developing an under-skin muscle implant that enables amputees to control prosthetics with more precision and natural movement. This implant could replace myoelectric prosthetics, offering a smoother, more accurate control system. In a recent wearable trial, participants achieved high accuracy in robotic arm movements, and the company plans to start clinical trials for the implantable version in 2025. This innovation could improve the functionality of prosthetics and make them more accessible to users. (Learn more)
Is Neuromodulation the Future of Neurotechnology in Healthcare: Neuromodulation, using brain stimulation to treat neurological disorders, is making a significant comeback. Once considered outdated, it's now offering hope for conditions like Alzheimer’s, depression, and chronic pain, where traditional drugs often fall short. Companies like Sinaptica Therapeutics and Flow Neuroscience are pioneering advancements in brain stimulation, showing improvements in patient symptoms. The neuromodulation market, valued at $4.51 billion in 2018, is projected to reach $16.25 billion by 2032, highlighting the growing interest in these targeted therapies.(Read more)

📘 Neurotech Articles:

Epiminder's Minder: A 5-Year Breakthrough in Continuous EEG Monitoring
Epiminder Pty Ltd has achieved a groundbreaking milestone with its Minder® device, which recorded five years of continuous EEG data in a participant of the UMPIRE study. This is the longest continuous EEG monitoring ever conducted in humans. The sub-scalp device offers long-term data collection, aiding drug-resistant epilepsy patients by enabling more informed treatment decisions. With epilepsy affecting 80 million people worldwide, Minder’s minimally invasive design provides actionable insights for managing seizure disorders and improving outcomes. This advancement could pave the way for seizure freedom in many patients. (Read more)
Health Rounds: Brain stimulation helps restore walking after paralysis in pilot study: A recent study published in Nature Medicine shows that deep brain stimulation applied to a new brain region helped two patients with severe spinal cord injuries regain lower limb movement, offering hope for spinal cord injury recovery. Another study presented at the Radiological Society of North America found that genicular artery embolization significantly alleviated knee pain and improved mobility in patients with osteoarthritis, potentially providing an alternative to knee replacement surgery. Additionally, researchers from the University of Texas have developed a new ink that can be sprayed onto the scalp to monitor brain activity, offering a non-invasive alternative to traditional EEG electrodes. The ink forms a thin-film sensor to pick up brainwaves, with stable connectivity for up to 24 hours, and could have wide applications in brain-computer interfaces for prosthetics and virtual reality. (Read more)
Sculpting the Brain Without Surgery - A New Approach to Learning: Scientists from the University of Rochester, Yale, and Princeton have developed a novel technique to modify brain activity patterns, enabling individuals to learn without traditional teaching methods or invasive procedures. Using real-time fMRI neurofeedback, participants successfully adopted new visual object categories by adjusting their brain activity to match predesignated patterns. This groundbreaking method could lead to innovative treatments for conditions such as depression and autism by aligning patients' brain patterns with neurotypical models. Beyond clinical applications, the study opens doors to advancements in brain-computer interfaces, offering a glimpse into the future of noninvasive neurotechnology. (Read more)
Tracking Neural Activity After Electrode Implantation - A Step Towards More Reliable Brain-Computer Interfaces: A new study published in The Journal of Neural Engineering explores how neural activity changes over time after electrode implantation. By using electrophysiological signals and widefield calcium imaging, researchers tracked these changes in awake mice. Key insights revealed that brain signals stabilized over time, with the quality of recordings remaining consistent. The findings also highlight the correlation between different neural signals, improving the understanding of electrode performance and laying the foundation for more reliable brain-computer interfaces. This research is a significant step forward in making neurotech devices more stable and long-lasting. (Read more)

🌐 Neurotech Edu. and Events:

London Neurotech Hackathon (Entrepreneur First, Shoreditch, London)
Date: January 25th, 2025, 10am (GMT) to January 26th, 2024, 5pm
Why Attend the Event?
This hackathon offers a unique opportunity to dive into neurotechnology innovation. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned expert, you’ll have the chance to collaborate with like-minded innovators and participate in exciting challenges. From ideation and research to competing in computational neuroscience, this event is a must for anyone looking to make their mark in the neurotech space.
Link to register: Register here
BCI & Neurotechnology Spring School 2025 (Online)
Date: April 28 – May 7, 2025 (Vienna time)
Why Attend the Event?
Following the immense success of last year’s event, which saw over 82,000 participants from 118 countries and 511 BR41N.IO hackers in 68 teams, the BCI & Neurotech Spring School 2025 is set to offer an even more immersive and enriching experience. Don't miss out on the opportunity to be part of this groundbreaking event in the neurotechnology space!
Link to Register: Register here

🎬Case Studies

🎬 Case Study Spotlight: G.Tec’s g.Pangolin – Revolutionizing Brain Mapping and Neurotechnology

In this edition's case study spotlight, we explore G.Tec’s g.Pangolin, an advanced brain-computer interface (BCI) system that is transforming the way researchers and clinicians measure and analyze brain activity. Since its inception, G.Tec has been a pioneer in the development of high-resolution, high-density EEG technologies, with the g.Pangolin setting a new standard for brain mapping in both clinical and research applications.

Overview: The g.Pangolin is a state-of-the-art BCI system that uses up to 1,024 channels for EEG (electroencephalography), EMG (electromyography), and ECG (electrocardiogram) recordings, offering exceptional spatial resolution. This high-density electrode system is designed to measure and analyze brain activity with unprecedented accuracy, enabling precise brain mapping, motor cortex analysis, and neural signal localization. The g.Pangolin system is designed to be used in both invasive and non-invasive applications, making it ideal for advanced neuroscience research and clinical diagnostics.

Use Case Highlights:

High-Density Brain Mapping with g.Pangolin: The g.Pangolin is known for its ability to record up to 1,024 channels simultaneously, which provides an extraordinary level of spatial resolution compared to traditional EEG systems. This capability allows for more accurate localization of brain sources, providing deeper insights into brain activity and enhancing brain mapping studies. It is particularly valuable for epilepsy research, motor cortex analysis, and studies of neuroplasticity.
Motor Cortex Research: One of the standout features of the g.Pangolin is its ability to detect fine motor movements with incredible precision. By placing electrode grids over the motor cortex, it allows researchers to distinguish between individual finger movements and other subtle brain signals, which has traditionally been possible only through more invasive techniques like ECoG implants. This non-invasive capability makes the g.Pangolin an invaluable tool in motor control research and clinical applications.
Source Localization for Advanced Brain Research: The fixed electrode placement of the g.Pangolin, with electrode distances as small as 8.6mm center-to-center, allows for accurate source localization of brain activity. This makes it possible to study cortical regions in detail, from sensory perception to motor control. Researchers can analyze brain networks with enhanced precision, which is essential for clinical applications like seizure source localization and neurofeedback therapies.
Multimodal Capabilities: The system is not only limited to EEG but also records EMG and ECG signals, allowing for comprehensive physiological data collection. This makes the g.Pangolin versatile for studying a range of biological signals, whether it’s for diagnosing heart conditions, analyzing muscle activity, or conducting detailed brain studies.

Target Audience: The g.Pangolin system is designed for use by:

Neuroscientists and researchers conducting advanced brain mapping and motor cortex studies.
Clinicians in need of high-resolution EEG systems for epilepsy research, neurofeedback therapies, and neurophysiological diagnostics.
Neurotechnologists interested in developing innovative brain-computer interface solutions for healthcare or consumer applications.

Key Partnerships: G.Tec partners with leading academic institutions, hospitals, and research facilities around the world. These collaborations help advance the development of technologies like the g.Pangolin and ensure that they remain at the forefront of brain-computer interface innovations. Partnerships with universities and medical centers also allow G.Tec to integrate the latest scientific findings into the evolution of its products.

Leadership Team: The vision behind G.Tec’s innovation comes from its co-founders, Dr. Christoph Guger and Dr. Günter Edlinger, whose expertise in neurotechnology has led to the creation of the g.Pangolin system. Their commitment to advancing brain-computer interface research and improving the understanding of brain activity has positioned G.Tec as a leader in the neurotechnology industry.

For more information about the g.Pangolin and how it is transforming brain mapping, visit G.Tec Medical Engineering GmbH.

🌟 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

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