Top 5 Trends in Neuroscience You Need to Know in 2024

Neurotechnology is advancing rapidly, and researchers must keep up with the latest developments. Explore the top neuroscience trends shaping 2024.

Neurotechnology is progressing incredibly fast, often making the future feel like it’s straight out of science fiction. Let’s look closer at the key neuroscience trends to watch in 2024!

1. Generative AI in the clinic

Generative AI (genAI), a branch of artificial intelligence that creates content like images, text, and videos—including tools like ChatGPT—has grown rapidly over the past year. However, its full impact on healthcare is still emerging. Challenges like the limited digitalization of healthcare systems and the difficulty of integrating AI tools into existing processes have slowed adoption. As healthcare systems face increasing pressure, AI tools can help reduce the burden by automating routine tasks. In 2024 and beyond, efforts to integrate genAI into healthcare could lead to transformative changes. Accenture predicts that large language models could improve up to 40% of working hours, assisting with tasks like administration, decision-making, and personalized care. AI is also being used for advanced medical tasks, such as identifying tumors in MRI scans or analyzing fat and muscle tissue in CT scans, saving clinicians significant time.By automating these processes, clinicians can focus more on patient care. In the UK, the NHS AI Lab, backed by £250 million in funding, is driving the safe adoption of AI in healthcare. Over 40 projects are being trialed, targeting areas such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and mental health, paving the way for a more efficient and patient-focused healthcare system.

2. Brain-Computer Interface Technology

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) directly link the brain and electronic devices, enabling communication and control through thought. BCIs are non-invasive (like EEG), partially invasive (such as ECoG), and fully implanted systems. They capture brain signals, analyze them, and translate them into commands that can influence brain activity or control external devices. This technology has the potential to help people with severe disabilities regain communication abilities, control assistive devices, and improve functions affected by neurological disorders. Recent advancements highlight the progress in this field. Neuralink has started recruiting for its first human trials, Braingate has set speed records with thought-to-speech implants powered by AI, and Synchron is making strides toward regulatory approval with its simpler, stent-like electrode design. Neurology is projected to be the fastest-growing area in medical devices by 2024 as BCIs continue to improve. Some individuals already use BCIs for basic communication and control in everyday life. With advancements in signal acquisition, stronger clinical validation, reliable technology, and scalable models, BCIs are poised to become a common tool for people with disabilities. They may also open doors to broader applications in the future.

3. Evolving MRI Machines

MRI technology, like computers, constantly evolves in two distinct directions: bigger, more advanced systems and smaller, portable solutions. High-powered MRI machines, such as the 7 Tesla Siemens scanner, are increasingly used in research and clinical settings. These machines provide incredible resolution, allowing us to view the human body in once-impossible ways. However, the detailed images they produce generate massive datasets that require significant storage, powerful computing systems for analysis, and longer transfer times. On the other hand, the rising demand for everyday clinical MRI scans has driven the development of smaller, portable, and more affordable machines. Companies like Hyperfine and PhysioMRI have successfully created portable systems by reducing the magnetic field, making these devices less expensive and more comfortable for patients. Even large MRI machines are becoming portable. In late 2023, Philips introduced a lightweight 1.5T mobile MRI unit that operates without helium, reducing costs and improving accessibility. As MRI technology becomes more accessible, we can expect more studies using MRI for research and diagnostics and an increase in point-of-care applications in healthcare.

4. Psychedelics in the spotlight

Psychedelic drugs are gaining attention for their potential to treat various psychological disorders. When combined with traditional talk therapies, these substances can help improve mental health by altering how different parts of the brain communicate. Two key psychedelics, psilocybin and MDMA, are nearing regulatory approval and could soon become more widely available. Psilocybin, a natural compound found in certain mushrooms, has shown promise in reducing symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety when used in controlled settings. Similarly, MDMA is being explored as a treatment for PTSD, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders. Research suggests that small doses of MDMA help patients connect more deeply with therapists, especially when addressing trauma. Innovations in this field include Atai Life Sciences’ phase 1 clinical trial on an MDMA derivative and the opening of an MDMA-assisted psychotherapy clinic in London. These developments highlight the growing potential of psychedelics in mental health care. The psychedelic industry saw major progress in 2023, transitioning from small pilot studies to a surge of clinical trials, thanks to updated FDA guidelines. With MDMA nearing FDA approval as a potential treatment for PTSD, 2024 could be a defining year to determine if these therapies offer real solutions or if they are overhyped possibilities.

5. New PET radiotracers

The search for new PET radiotracers will continue to advance in 2024, with exciting developments on the horizon. One significant trial, expected to conclude in June, focuses on the PET radiotracer 18F-MK6240. This tracer has shown potential in detecting increased tau protein levels in the brain linked to autosomal dominant Alzheimer’s disease, even before symptoms appear. Sensitive biomarkers like this are crucial for identifying early disease changes and monitoring progression, paving the way for new treatments for neurodegenerative disorders. Another promising PET radiotracer, Ga-68 NODAGA-JR11, offers improved detection of metastatic cancer lesions in patients with neuroendocrine tumors. This tracer outperforms somatostatin receptor (SSTR) agonists, commonly used in PET imaging, by targeting receptors overexpressed in certain cancer cells. This innovation could enhance diagnostic accuracy and lead to better care for patients with these tumors.

Conclusion

In 2024, neuroscience is set to redefine boundaries with groundbreaking innovations and applications. From advanced brain-computer interfaces empowering individuals with disabilities to the evolution of portable MRI machines and novel PET radiotracers transforming diagnostics, the field is making rapid strides. The integration of generative AI is streamlining healthcare, while psychedelics are showing promise in treating complex mental health disorders. These trends highlight the relentless pursuit of understanding and improving the brain, paving the way for transformative healthcare solutions and deeper insights into human cognition.

FAQs