UK NHS to Trial Forest 1 Implant by Forest Neurotech for Mood Disorders

Jan 20, 2025, 09:18 AM

The UK's National Health Service (NHS) is set to begin trials of a new brain implant called Forest 1, designed to improve mood by using ultrasound technology. The device, developed by Forest Neurotech, will be tested on 30 patients starting in March, aiming to help individuals suffering from depression, addiction, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and epilepsy. The implant will be placed under the skull but outside the brain, mapping brain activity and sending targeted ultrasound pulses to activate neuron groups. The trial, funded by the UK's Advanced Research and Invention Agency (Aria) with over 7.4 million euros, is expected to last three and a half years. The study will focus on patients with temporary cranial defects, allowing the device to be tested without invasive surgery. Jacques Carolan, Aria's program director, has highlighted the potential of this technology to revolutionize treatment for various mental health conditions.