Neurological situations affected greater than 3 billion individuals worldwide in 2021, in line with a significant examine revealed in The Lancet in 2024.
These situations influence the nervous system and comprise all kinds of problems, together with epilepsy, Alzheimer’s illness, Parkinson’s illness, dementia and plenty of others.
At present, neurological illnesses are the main reason behind sickness and incapacity worldwide, and past the toll they tackle sufferers and their family members, in addition they impose a big financial burden.
In line with one other examine revealed in The Lancet, mind problems are projected to value the worldwide financial system 16 trillion {dollars} between 2010 and 2030, a determine largely pushed by the early onset of those situations and the ensuing long-term lack of productiveness.
Given the necessity for analysis and therapy of mind problems, some corporations are investing on this space to advance our understanding of the mind.
Among the many most high-profile is Neuralink, based by Elon Musk in 2016. Nonetheless, Europe has additionally emerged as a powerhouse in neurotechnology. A notable instance is the Spanish firm Neuroelectrics, launched by Ana Maiques and Giulio Ruffini in 2011. Through the years, Neuroelectrics has expanded from its European roots to ascertain a presence in america, changing into a global chief within the area.
Ana Maiques, CEO of Neuroelectrics, joined My Wildest Prediction to share her boldest insights and imaginative and prescient for the way forward for mind know-how.
My Wildest Prediction is a podcast collection from Euronews Enterprisethe place we dare to think about the long run with enterprise and tech visionaries. On this episode, Tom Goodwin talks to Ana Maiques, CEO and Co-Founding father of Neuroelectrics.
The main function of neurotechnology
“My wildest prediction is that neurotechnology goes to influence our each day lives in methods we can’t even think about,” Ana Maiques advised Euronews Enterprise.
Maiques clarified that neurotechnology instruments ought to and won’t be used to boost particular person traits comparable to intelligence or reverse ageing. Nonetheless, she believes these instruments shall be utilized to deal with medical situations, broaden individuals’s expertise of actuality and strengthen our common understanding of how the mind works.
“Lots of people method us! (…) Now we have a paper written with Refik Anadol the place we monitored the influence on the guests’ brains of his AI-generated sculptures. Now, we’re speaking with Michelin-star cooks who wish to examine the influence of meals on the mind from a scientific perspective,” she defined.
Maiques acknowledged the fears some individuals have about utilizing electrical energy within the mind however emphasised that a lot of this concern stems from a lack of knowledge of the actual, constructive influence neurotechnology can have.
The expansion of Neuroelectrics
Not like Neuralink, which develops in-brain implants, Neuroeletrics takes a non–invasive method, utilizing exterior instruments to watch and work together with the mind.
Neuroelectrics’ standout product is the Neoprane Headcap. The cap options electrodes linked to a wi-fi module positioned within the again. These electrodes can each monitor the mind exercise and ship electrical stimulation.
This instrument may also help diagnose sleep problems, epilepsy, and different neurological situations. It’s particularly helpful in hospital settings the place electroencephalogram (EEG) gear might not be out there or the place technicians will not be current.
To develop these instruments, Neuroelectrics has been utilizing machine studying and AI for years.
“There isn’t any approach we are able to, as people, decode the mind with out the assistance of those sorts of instruments,” Ana Maiques stated.
The CEO famous that developments in AI may result in the potential modelling of the mind, elevating many moral and scientific questions.
Nonetheless, she emphasised the significance of continued experimentation, as attaining an entire scientific understanding of the mind stays extremely advanced.
Extra sources • Johan Breton video and sound editor