Chemogenetics is a technology that allows for the remote control of specific neurons by modifying them, making them responsive to otherwise inactive drugs.
At a BRAIN Initiative conference, Bryan Roth, one of the developers of the technology, stated that seven clinical trials using chemogenetics are currently underway in China.
These trials target three indications: pain, Parkinson's disease, and epilepsy.
Including ongoing cases, the total number of target patients is approximately 10.
Chemogenetics shares a similar concept to optogenetics, which controls neurons using light, but it uses engineered chemicals instead of light.
Neurons that express engineered receptor genes are either excited or inhibited by specific chemicals.
This is expected to enable gene-targeted therapies where therapeutic effects can be controlled remotely by adjusting drug dosages.
Currently, there is a growing movement to advance chemogenetics in China.
Source: The race to engineer new knobs for the human brain (Hacker News Frontpage, 2026-09-03)