The first UK facility dedicated clinical trials using neurotechnologies is set to open in Newcastle.
The National Centre for Neurotechnology and Neurorestoration, hosted by Newcastle Hospitals and in collaboration with Newcastle University, will support research and delivery of the latest neurotechnologies aimed at understanding the brain, restoring function and improving health.
Specialising in implanted devices which require surgical procedures to place them in or near the brain and nervous system, including brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) and neurostimulators, the centre’s work will look at treatments for a range of disabling neurological conditions.
Akbar Hussain, clinical director of the centre and consultant neurosurgeon at Newcastle Hospitals said: “Through the rapid rise and pace of development in modern neurotechnologies, and advances in artificial intelligence, we are entering a new era in treating disorders of the brain and nervous system.
“In Newcastle we have a track record of successful clinical trials in this specialist field and I’m excited to be involved in taking this to the next level.
“The centre will allow us to strengthen and grow our capacity and skills to meet demand and will mean we can pave the way for a future standard of care in neurological disorders, allowing more life-changing treatments to be brought to patients.”
The centre will drive scientific research to further the understanding of the human brain and expand the potential of future neurotechnologies.
This will provide people living with neurological conditions with safe access to the latest clinical trial opportunities using the most current technologies under development.
The expertise and experience of the centre’s team will also provide a national hub to quickly and safely facilitate projects in the UK, helping academic and industry partners from this country and overseas who want to research, develop, and use neurotechnologies.
Scientific director Dr Luke Bashford said: “The national centre has been formed to meet a breakthrough moment in human neuroscience.
“The neurotechnology device industry is burgeoning and seeking expert healthcare partners, and the scientific community is entering a period of unprecedented scale of access to the human brain for research.
“The centre will provide all stakeholders with the academic, regulatory and clinical support to ensure that there are no delays to performing the full spectrum of UK neurotechnology work.”