Innovative Academic Exchange and Technology Launch Conference on Brain-Computer Interface for Diagnosis and Therapy

(Source: Economic Daily)

Source: Economic Daily

Recently, the Brain-Computer Interface Diagnosis and Treatment Innovation Academic Exchange Conference, hosted by the People's Daily Health Client, was held in Beijing. At the conference, several experts and scholars from fields such as neurorehabilitation, psychiatry, and child development discussed topics including the clinical application value of brain-computer interface technology, standardized development pathways, and multi-party collaboration mechanisms, offering advice to promote the transition of the technology from cutting-edge exploration to clinical implementation.

"Brain-computer interfaces have unique advantages in building an integrated system of 'diagnosis-treatment-rehabilitation' in clinical settings. Under the premise of continuously improving technology and ethical standards, efforts should be accelerated to promote its transformation into clinical applications, truly serving human health," said Tan Weihong, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, at the conference. As one of the most cutting-edge technologies currently receiving significant attention, the development potential of brain-computer interfaces is evident for all to see. However, transitioning from laboratory exploration to clinical application still faces multiple challenges, which urgently require further discussion and practice.

Tan Weihong believes that for brain-computer interface technology to move into clinical applications, the most critical validation is not a single technical parameter but whether a clinically implementable, explainable, intervenable, and beneficial closed-loop system can be constructed. The establishment of this closed-loop system requires passing through three core validation stages: causal association verification between biological signals and clinical manifestations, precision and safety validation of interventions, and clinical value and accessibility validation. "Brain-computer interface technology must not only demonstrate its effectiveness but also prove that it offers better cost-effectiveness than existing intervention methods in real medical scenarios to truly integrate into the clinical treatment system."

Zhang Guojun, former Party Secretary and Director of the Neurology Center at Beijing Children's Hospital affiliated with Capital Medical University, stated that as medical technology evolves towards minimally invasive and non-invasive methods, new technologies like brain-computer interfaces are opening up entirely new development pathways in the surgical field. He believes that surgeons should actively embrace this new era centered on health, proactively explore novel intervention approaches for various diseases that are difficult to address with medication, and leverage cutting-edge technologies to enhance clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Hong Li, Vice President of Shanghai Children's Medical Center affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, and Zou Chaochun, Executive Vice President of Children's Hospital affiliated with Zhejiang University School of Medicine, both believe that brain-computer interface holds long-term application potential in the field of pediatric healthcare. It can serve in the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of neurological and psychiatric-related diseases, and is also expected to gradually deliver value through multidisciplinary collaboration, integration of scientific research and clinical practice, and standardized progress.

During the roundtable dialogue session on "Exploring Multi-party Collaboration Mechanisms in ADHD Treatment and Management," Rong Yigang, Vice President of BrainCo, stated that the implementation of brain-computer interface technology requires a complete chain of scientific research, clinical practice, and industrialization, which cannot be achieved without the collaboration of hospitals, enterprises, families, schools, and communities. To truly benefit children with ADHD, it is necessary to promote systematic arrangements among all parties in optimizing clinical pathways, cultivating professional talent, and establishing standards and norms, jointly building a healthy development ecosystem so that the benefits of this technology can reach every child in need. (Economic Daily reporter Wu Jiajia)