City to be UK hub for brain implant research

NEWCASTLE TO HOST NEW CENTRE FOR NEUROTECH

- By SAM VOLPE Reporter [e-mail]

THE UK's first centre for research into pioneering brain implants will be in Newcastle.

The new National Centre for Neurotechnology and Neurorestoration, is to be hosted by the city's NHS hospitals trust and Newcastle University.

Its founders said it would “support research and delivery of the latest neurotechnologies aimed at understanding the brain, restoring function and improving health”. This comes following news that the hospital trust would be one of two in the UK to trial brain implants created by Elon Musk’s Neuralink firm.

That implant - the “size of a 10p piece” - could allow people to control technology using their minds. This is particularly promising for those living with conditions such as motor neurone disease (MND).