The race to engineer new knobs for the human brain
Chemogenetics is an emerging medical field that uses designer receptors to remotely control specific neurons with inert drugs. Clinical trials are currently underway in China to explore its potential for treating neurological conditions like Parkinson's and epilepsy.
Why it matters
This represents a significant leap in precision medicine, offering a new way to modulate brain activity without the invasive nature of traditional neurosurgery.
I almost dropped my phone when I saw the news that chemogenetics was in human clinical trials. Chemogenetics is a powerful technique that modifies specific neurons so they can be controlled remotely by normally inert drugs. Bryan Roth, one of the technique’s inventors, told the BRAIN Initiative conference audience on August 13th 1 that he had found seven ongoing clinical trials of chemogenetics in China. The disclosure set off a flurry of coverage in the trade media : We’re translating our sci-fi basic neuroscience tools to humans! We’re engineering new knobs for biology ! We might have new ways of treating epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and pain!
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