Innovation in targeted nerve stimulation could transform medicine as we know it.

Imagine a patient who suffers from incontinence and compromised sexual function following a traumatic injury. Injuries like this can take away a person’s dignity and autonomy. Now imagine that this patient could receive a small implantable device that delivers targeted nerve stimulation, allowing them to regain control of their body. This is the potential of the rapidly advancing fields of neurostimulation and neuromodulation.

Thanks to recent breakthroughs, neuromodulation has the potential to treat an impressive range of conditions through targeted regulation of the nervous system; it could help millions of people with neurological conditions, pain, mental health disorders, and beyond. The core approach is versatile, enabling a wide array of uses through various technologies and stimulation areas. Neuromodulation already has established applications treating some neurological disorders, chronic pain, and mental health conditions, but decades of research have led to a breakthrough moment. Today, opportunities that once seemed theoretical are accelerating through trials and getting closer to commercialization. As these technologies grow more advanced — and more accessible — neuromodulation stands to become an entirely new therapeutic class alongside drugs, vaccines, and gene therapy.

This is precisely the type of opportunity that draws us in: understanding rapidly evolving domains and creating pathways for cutting-edge innovations to move from lab to clinic. Luminary Labs thrives at designing programs that accelerate breakthrough research in regulated, highly technical fields — where scientific excellence meets practical application. This explainer provides an overview of how this cutting edge technology works, describes the current state of the field, and looks at what’s next for neuromodulation.

What is neuromodulation?

Neuromodulation is a technique used to alter or adjust nerve activity by delivering a stimulus — such as gentle electrical pulses, magnetic fields, or chemical agents — to specific sites in the nervous system. Our nerves transmit electrical and chemical signals throughout the body, forming an extensive control and communication network. Neuromodulation’s therapeutic potential lies in its capacity to precisely target and adjust specific neural networks involved in nearly any body function. This versatility is what makes neuromodulation such a promising approach in the treatment of a wide range of conditions.

The modern clinical uses have been around since the 1960s, and today, various neuromodulation techniques are already approved for use in the treatment of neurological disorders (deep brain stimulation to treat tremors in Parkinson’s patients; vagus nerve stimulation to treat some seizure conditions), pain conditions (spinal cord stimulation to treat chronic pain), and mental health and psychiatric conditions (vagus nerve stimulation and transcranial magnetic to treat depression; deep brain stimulation to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder). Nerve stimulation can be accomplished by both invasive and noninvasive techniques, and using a range of established and experimental modalities:

• Noninvasive methods can alter nerve activity without breaking the skin. Some examples of noninvasive neuromodulation techniques include Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), Focused Ultrasound Stimulation (FUS/tFUS), and Temporal Interference Stimulation.
• Invasive methods can more directly target nerve activity but require surgery to implant a device directly into the body. Some examples of invasive neuromodulation techniques include Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS), and some forms of Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS).

Neuromodulation can also be categorized by the type of energy or agent used to influence nerve activity. Known approaches include electrical stimulation, magnetic stimulation, ultrasound (mechanical) stimulation, chemical agents, and optical stimulation. These methods can be implemented in either open-loop systems that deliver predetermined stimulation or closed-loop systems that adapt their response based on relevant real-time physiological signals. Innovation in closed-loop systems, also known as responsive or adaptive systems, enable much more precise, responsive, and personalized treatment.

Advancements in neuromodulation are unfolding within the wider field of neuroscience that includes other neurotechnologies used to improve human health and well-being, including neuroimaging, optogenetics, and brain computer interface technologies.

What is the current state of the field?

Today, the field of neuromodulation is at a pivotal moment: Decades of research are now yielding breakthrough discoveries, and the field is maturing, with a growing number of products nearing market release.

The increase in published research and number of clinical trials for neuromodulation therapies are evidence of the field’s growth. In recent years, researchers have identified even more promising applications in the treatment of sleep disorders, women’s health issues, general human performance enhancement, and more. Neuromodulation is “being used to treat just about any condition you can think of, including hypertension, migraine, heart failure, sleep apnea, overactive bladder, diabetes and cancer,” according to Kip Ludwig, Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery at the University of Wisconsin.

Ongoing advancements in devices and techniques are enhancing therapeutic efficacy and ease of use, particularly through improvements in miniaturization, wireless communication, and battery power management. Devices are becoming more precise and increasingly using enhanced biofeedback for better, more personalized stimulation control. Future research is expected to explore deeper brain structures and neuroplasticity-based methods for motor function recovery, among many other active avenues of investigation.

This advancement is fueled by rising investment in neuromodulation technology, driven by several factors. Recent regulatory approvals are bringing new therapies to market, while long-term research and development continue to grow. This summer, SetPoint Medical received FDA approval for its vagus nerve stimulation device to treat arthritis and plans to evaluate the technology for other autoimmune conditions. Neuspera Medical also earned FDA approval for its integrated sacral neuromodulation (iSNM) system for the treatment of urinary urge incontinence (UUI). Additionally, strategic consolidation within the industry is creating attractive investment opportunities. In April, Globus Medical, a leading musculoskeletal technology company, acquired Nevro Corp, a company focused on spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for chronic pain treatment. Recent high-profile milestones from companies specializing in brain computer interface technologies such as Neuralink and Blackrock Neurotech have also helped to generate interest from investors and the wider public.

Driven partly by the demand for opioid alternatives, neuromodulation therapies for pain relief have advanced rapidly and garnered significant investor interest. In March, Nervonik raised $13 million in Series A funding for an opioid-free peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) technology for chronic pain, and in June, Presidio Medical received an FDA investigational device exemption (IDE) approval to evaluate its neuromodulation platform for treating chronic nociceptive lower back pain.

With a growing scientific foundation, new clinical applications, and significant investment, neuromodulation stands to become a mainstream therapeutic approach that could benefit millions of patients worldwide.

What comes next?

In addition to a growing list of potential applications and treatments — from treating digestive conditions to improving sexual health — the field is moving toward more precise, personalized, and less-invasive therapies. Neuromodulation holds potential to shape the future of healthcare, but significant barriers could inhibit progress. For one, more research is needed to better understand organ targeting and potential risks or off-target effects, how different techniques work across applications or organ systems, and how to achieve reliable clinical results. Other barriers include regulatory hurdles, cuts to research funding, and the need to educate the public on the benefits of new therapies.

Neuromodulation is an inherently multidisciplinary field, drawing on expertise from neuroscience, biomedical engineering, materials science, computer science, and other domains where breakthrough solutions often emerge at the intersection of disciplines. As applications become more complex and accessible, this kind of interdisciplinary collaboration will become even more critical. To deliver the most promising innovations to patients, the field must accelerate clinical translation and strengthen partnerships between industry, academia, and government agencies to navigate regulatory pathways, address technical challenges, and ensure equitable access to these transformative therapies. In the gap between neuromodulation’s transformative potential and its current availability sits an incredible opportunity.