Researchers at the University of Glasgow are leading a groundbreaking £4m project to investigate the potential of ‘neurobots’ in treating epilepsy.
This innovative approach could transform the landscape of epilepsy treatment, offering new hope to millions of patients worldwide.
Neurobots, or injectable neural robots, are microscopic devices made from advanced nanomaterials. These tiny robots are designed to deliver a treatment called closed-loop neuromodulation, which monitors brain activity and provides electrical stimulation to treat or prevent epileptic seizures.
The NEUROBOT project aims to address the limitations of traditional deep brain stimulation methods.
By using innovative materials and AI-driven control, the team hopes to create individualised, minimally-invasive adaptive treatments that enhance therapeutic outcomes for patients with neurological disorders.
This research is part of ARIA’s Precision Neurotechnologies programme, which funds teams of scientists and engineers to pursue cutting-edge research. The programme aims to unite the frontiers of engineered biology and hardware to treat complex brain disorders.
Leading the project team will be Professor Hadi Heidari of the University of Glasgow’s James Watt School of Engineering. NEUROBITE Technologies, a spinout from the University of Glasgow by PhD student Maria Cerezo-Sanchez, is also lending support to the project, as is partners at the Universities of Exeter, Manchester, Newcastle, and the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia in Italy.
Professor Hadi Heidari explained the significance of this research:
“We’re pleased and proud to have received this funding from ARIA’s Precision Neurotechnologies programme. It will enable us to build on previous breakthrough research collaborations between the partners on the potential for neurobots to treat epilepsy more effectively and less invasively.
“The project will benefit from access to the University of Glasgow’s world-leading James Watt Nanofabrication Centre to develop our prototype neurobots.”
The potential impact of this research is significant, considering that one in six people in the UK has at least one neurological condition, costing the NHS £4.4 billion per year.
If successful, this neurobot technology could offer a more precise and elegant approach to interfacing with neural circuits, potentially improving the lives of millions affected by epilepsy and other neurological disorders.