Guidelines aim to include end users in neurotechnology development

“Neurotechnology” refers to a broad range of technologies designed to interface with the nervous system, with the aim of treating neurological disorders, enhancing cognitive function, and improving overall well-being. This can include devices like brain-computer interfaces, neurostimulation systems, and wearable sensors that monitor brain activity or physiological responses.

Neurotechnology is making significant strides in revolutionizing treatments for conditions such as epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s, providing innovative solutions for managing symptoms, and in some cases, restoring lost function, including the restoration of motor function in individuals with motor diseases.

Neurotechnology is on the brink of transforming how neurological disorders are treated to enhance daily function and integrate with our physical and mental experiences. For example, the development of non-invasive devices to regulate mood through neural interfaces could significantly improve the quality of life for individuals with chronic conditions.

The capability of neurotechnology to bridge the gap between the brain, body, and external devices will transform how we understand and manage human health. The near-future implications are enormous, but the responsibility of guiding this development currently rests almost entirely with researchers.

An initiative arising from a panel discussion during a CloseNIT conference in Oxford in 2022 began exploring the challenges surrounding the sound and ethically meaningful development of neurotechnology. Since then, the research team has worked to create a framework that brings patients and the public into the conversation.

The resulting paper, “Foundational guidelines for enhancing neurotechnology research and development through end-user involvement,” has emerged from shared interest in ensuring that neurotechnology is developed in a way that reflects the needs and desires of the people it is meant to help. The paper complements a curated website with resources and links to relevant initiatives to guide Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in the neurotechnology space and serves as a tutorial. It is published in the Journal of Neural Engineering.

The work is an interdisciplinary collaboration between Dr. Amparo Güemes, Royal Academy of Engineering & Rosetrees Research Fellow in the Bioelectronics Lab in the Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge, Dr. Tiago da Silva Costa, psychiatrist with Newcastle University, the Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, and the Newcastle NIHR Biomedical Research Center, and Tamar Makin, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at the MRC Cognition and Brain Unit at University of Cambridge.

The paper provides a clear framework for helping scientists navigate these often-overwhelming interactions via the paper’s tutorial guidance, tailored resources, and practical advice. Importantly, this is not just about improving research outputs. It is about empowering patients and the public to shape neurotechnology, ensuring it aligns with their needs, values, and hopes for the future. The team believes this work represents a significant step forward for the field, combining innovation with inclusivity.

Dr. Güemes states, “The framework presented in our paper offers practical resources and advice to guide researchers in involving patients and the public in neurotechnology development. This topic is of critical importance, as a well-designed Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) strategy significantly enriches research quality, accelerates the transition from innovation to practical application, and ensures that future products and services are user-centered and more impactful.

“By following these guidelines, scientists can significantly strengthen their ability to secure funding, improve user acceptance and usability of their innovations, and effectively disseminate results to key stakeholders. This paper therefore provides an essential resource for researchers across all areas of neurotechnology.

“The results of this framework will foster deeper engagement with patients and stakeholders, leading to neurotechnologies that are more socially responsible, ethically grounded, and effectively meet real-world needs. It offers a transformative approach to integrating end-user perspectives, ensuring more impactful and ethically sound advancements in neurotechnology.”