From deep brain stimulation to brain–computer interfaces: current progress in implantable neurotechnology
www.frontiersin.org
Sept. 9, 2026, 1:25 p.m.
Brain implants, including deep brain stimulation (DBS) systems, brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), and speech neuroprostheses, are transitioning from experimental prototypes to clinical implementation, addressing significant unmet needs in movement disorders, paralysis, and speech impairment. Researchers at Alfaisal University and Sulaiman Alrajhi University analyzed these technologies through a shared architectural framework comprising sensing, decoding, stimulation output, power delivery, telemetry, and clinical validation. Recent regulatory milestones, notably the FDA's 2025 clearance of a cortical interface and expanding implanted-BCI trials, have accelerated progress. The review identifies common enabling advances including flexible electrodes, artificial intelligence-assisted decoding algorithms, and neuromorphic edge processing. However, three critical bottlenecks persist across all three technologies: long-term neural stability, understanding of neural coding mechanisms, and ensuring equitable patient access. The authors emphasize that translational progress is constrained by these shared challenges rather than technology-specific obstacles, and stress the need for governance frameworks to support continued engineering advancement alongside clinical deployment.