How are brain-computer interfaces transforming medicine in 2025?

Just a century ago, the idea of connecting the human brain to a computer was the stuff of science fiction. But today, brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are on the verge of changing the way healthcare works – making it more efficient, more personalised, and ultimately driving better health outcomes. From restoring mobility to enabling seamless communication for individuals with disabilities, BCIs hold the promise that dreams really can come true. 

The evolution of BCIs: From discovery to innovation

The origins of BCI technology trace back to the 1920s, when German scientist Hans Berger discovered that the brain produces electrical currents. His pioneering work with electroencephalography (EEG) laid the foundation for modern neurotechnology. Over the decades since, researchers have refined the ability to capture and interpret brain signals – leading to the development of BCIs capable of enabling communication and movement. 

LEAP speaker Dr. Ramses Alcaide (President and CEO of Neurable) described the promise of BCIs like this:

“Non-invasive BCIs open up new possibilities for human-computer interaction by tapping into the incredible capabilities of the brain. They have the potential to enhance accessibility, improve quality of life for individuals with disabilities, and offer novel ways to interact with technology in both active and passive capacities.”

Active and passive BCIs: How they work in healthcare

BCIs can be classified into two major categories: active and passive.

Active BCIs require intentional user input. For example, they might allow patients with paralysis to move a robotic arm, type on a screen, or control a wheelchair using only their thoughts. Applications like this offer independence and opportunities that can significantly enhance quality of life.

Passive BCIs, on the other hand, operate without requiring the user’s conscious effort. These systems monitor brain activity to assess cognitive states – such as stress, fatigue, or focus. Dr. Alcaide highlights the importance of passive BCIs, because they “involve monitoring brain activity without necessarily requiring the user to perform specific actions. This can be applied in various contexts such as mental state monitoring or cognitive assessment.” 

In healthcare, passive BCIs could be used to significantly improve patient monitoring, mental health assessments, early disease detection, and more.

Using BCIs to transform patient care 

The applications of BCIs in medicine are vast. Implications for patient care include (but aren’t limited to): 

• Restoring mobility and communication: For people with severe disabilities or locked-in syndrome, BCIs can offer a means to communicate and interact with the world. By decoding brain signals into actionable commands, BCIs enable users to type, speak through a digital voice assistant, or control assistive devices. Clinical trials are already demonstrating that patients can navigate digital environments with their thoughts alone.
• Advancing neurological and psychiatric care: Passive BCIs could detect early signs of neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and epilepsy. By continuously monitoring brain activity, doctors can intervene earlier and provide more effective treatments. And these systems can assess cognitive load and emotional states – to provide valuable insights for mental health professionals in the treatment of conditions including depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
• Improving rehabilitation: Rehabilitation following a stroke or traumatic brain injury is a long and complex process. BCIs can make it easier, and potentially shorten recovery times, by adapting therapy to the patient’s brain activity in real-time. By tracking cognitive engagement and fatigue, medical teams can adjust treatment intensity and reduce strain on patients.

When we interviewed Professor Thomas Oxley (CEO of Synchron), he said he believes BCIs will deepen our understanding of the human brain. “Ultimately, the more we learn about how the brain works, the better we’ll understand both others and ourselves. We’re lucky to be living in a time where interventional neurology and tech are rapidly outpacing other advancements in medicine, leading to very powerful advancements in our understanding of and access to the brain.”

There are still challenges ahead, but BCIs have a bright future in healthcare and medicine 

They’ve got immense potential, but BCIs still face significant challenges before widespread adoption becomes a reality. These include ensuring accurate signal processing, overcoming ethical concerns related to privacy and security, and achieving affordability for mass deployment. But advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning are accelerating progress, and could rapidly make BCIs more reliable and accessible.

Dr. Alcaide is optimistic about the future: “The impact will be transformative, reshaping the way we interact with technology and each other. BCIs hold the potential to enhance accessibility, allowing individuals with disabilities to seamlessly control devices with their thoughts.”

As research continues and new breakthroughs emerge, BCIs are set to become an integral part of the medical landscape. They’re no longer science fiction, but a reality with a growing body of use cases; and they offer hope and new opportunities for millions of people worldwide. The future of healthcare is not just in our hands – it’s very much in our minds.