Brain science start-up Neuroelectrics uses electricity and a headcap to reduce seizures in patients with epilepsy. Now it needs FDA approval

High up in the hills of Barcelona, brain science start-up Neuroelectrics is developing therapies that it says will improve the lives of people living with brain disease. 

The group manufactures around 400 devices, which it ships to 75 different countries worldwide each year.

Its main product is a headcap, which monitors the brain's electrical activity and stimulates regions of the brain with mild electrical currents.

Co-founder and CEO Ana Maiques believes it will significantly improve the lives of people suffering with epilepsy.

"In the world, there are 60 million patients suffering from epilepsy and one third of those don't respond to medication," Maiques told CNBC Tech: The Edge in an interview.

"These patients usually go into surgery, either a craniotomy — we remove the part of the brain that is creating the seizures — or an implanted device. So Neuroelectrics is bringing this noninvasive solution to try to reduce seizures."

In a 17-patient study approved by U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the technology demonstrated a median seizure reduction of 41%. Neuroelectrics is pursuing FDA approval by September 2025.

In addition to epilepsy, Maiques and her team are optimistic that the headgear can also be used to treat depression and Alzheimer's.

"Our devices read the electrical activity of the brain, but also inject electricity. So, the areas that we're focused on are those that are clearly electric. So, when you have epilepsy, you have an electrical discharge in one area of your brain, so they can really target and help them," said Roser Sanchez-Todo, R&D director for Neuroelectrics' brain modelling department.

Before a patient can use the technology, Neuroelectrics builds a replica of their brain, known as a NeuroTwin.

"We've