The race to engineer new knobs for the human brain

Chemogenetics, which uses designer receptors (DREADDs) to let neurons respond to inert drugs, has entered human trials in China, where seven studies target pain, Parkinson’s disease, and epilepsy and will enroll roughly ten patients. These trials aim to modulate specific neuronal populations remotely, offering a more precise alternative to broad-acting drugs like benzodiazepines for conditions such as refractory epilepsy.