Bioengineered brain-computer interfaces: an introductory overview of technologies, clinical applications and ethical-legal challenges

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Abstract

Bioengineered brain-computer interfaces (BBCIs) constitute a rapidly evolving interdisciplinary field at the intersection of neuroscience, bioengineering, materials science, and artificial intelligence. This introductory overview provides a concise synthesis of the current state of research across key domains: invasive, minimally invasive, and non-invasive platforms; emerging technologies (biohybrid interfaces, nanowire probes, in vitro neuromuscular models); clinical applications in neurorehabilitation and communication; and ethical-legal challenges - from neuroprivacy to cognitive rights. Special attention is given to regional development strategies, including the human-centered approach of the Russian scientific community. The review does not claim to offer a comprehensive analysis but aims to delineate conceptual boundaries and establish an informational foundation for forthcoming thematic publications focused on in-depth comparative assessments, regulatory modeling, and strategic priorities for clinical translation of BBCIs.

About the authors

A. U. Zammoev

Kabardino-Balkarian Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Email: zammoev@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-7966-3557
SPIN-code: 6317-3115

Candidate of Technical Sciences, Head of the Scientific-Innovation Center "Biomedical Engineering"

Russian Federation, 2, Balkarov street, Nalchik, 360010, Russia

R. N. Abutalipov

Kabardino-Balkarian Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Author for correspondence.
Email: bnt_nat_2016@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-0187-563X
SPIN-code: 6219-9432

Candidate of Technical Sciences, Senior Researcher of the Laboratory "Bionanorobotics and Neuroengineering" of the Scientific-Innovation Center "Biomedical engineering"

Russian Federation, 2, Balkarov street, Nalchik, 360010, Russia

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