Combating Brain Diseases with Self-Implanting Nanochips

We know they did it 3 years ago

Niki Korteweg / NRC 2025

Biochip Self-implanting nanochips can be used to treat brain diseases electrically without surgery via the bloodstream – in mice.

Me: ‘We know they did it in humans too, already years ago. Not only by injection, but also as aerosol for inhalation. Secret service in Netherlands is experimenting with it. And also in the US and other places.’

Wireless nanochips that, after injection into the bloodstream, automatically travel to the brain and implant themselves at the affected area. Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) presented this on Wednesday in the scientific journal Nature Biotechnology. Once in the brain, the chips can specifically electrically stimulate the targeted brain area.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41587-025-02809-3

The researchers hope that with the new technology, which they call “circulatronics,” they will in the future be able to treat serious brain conditions without the need for major surgery.

The new chips consist of layers of organic semiconductors and metals, approximately 200 nanometers thick, on a circular surface less than 10 micrometers. Thanks to this microscopic size, smaller than a cell, the implants can permanently nestle between individual brain cells without damaging surrounding cells, and perform their function with millions of targeted stimulation points.

The scientists coupled the minuscule electronic devices to living cells. This prevented them from triggering an immune response. Furthermore, the nanodevices easily penetrated the blood-brain barrier. This protective layer around blood vessels prevents harmful substances and bacteria from entering the brain, but allows nutrients and oxygen to pass through. This is often a difficult hurdle for drug manufacturers.

A monocyte with a nanochip attached to it.

The scientists focused the treatment in this experiment on brain inflammation.

In the study, the researchers used immune cells (monocytes) to deliver the device. These cells are 12 to 18 micrometers in size and naturally target inflammation in the body. Using a fluorescent dye, they were able to track the swarm of nanodevices.

Once the implants were in place, the researchers were able to activate them wirelessly using electromagnetic waves of near-infrared light.

(Near infrared light can be transported with a probe, glass fiber or laser. Funny fact: the human body is naturally emitting Electro Magnetic waves, that is why security can see through your clothes in an airport scanner. )

NASA says: 'Reflected near-infrared radiation can be sensed by satellites.' 

For transmitting this signal you can use a laser. Near-infrared lasers can theoretically reach distances of up to 10 kilometers.

Deep within the brain, the implants receive sufficient energy from this to electrically stimulate surrounding brain cells. In humans, this stimulation extends several centimeters beneath the skull.

The research team is currently working on applications for several conditions, including certain types of brain cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and chronic pain.

Through their startup Cahira Technologies, the researchers aim to test the technology in human clinical trials within three years.

Me: ‘Its already done to a group of non-consensus test rabbits, called Targeted Individuals! ‘ (the real ones)