In this episode of The Open Loop, Chay Carter is joined by Dan Rizzuto, President and CTO at Nia Therapeutics.
Dan shares how Nia is developing a closed-loop neurostimulation system designed to help patients with memory loss, combining implantable sensing, machine learning, wearable components, and personalised stimulation.
This is a practical conversation about the future of cognitive BCIs, what it takes to move neurotechnology from academic research into clinical development, and why memory restoration could become one of the most important frontiers in the field.
We also explore Nia’s FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for TBI-related memory loss, the evolution of BCI over the last 20 years, the reality behind cognitive enhancement hype, and why efficacy matters more than form factor when building neurotechnology for patients.
Key takeaways:
🔹 How Nia Therapeutics is developing closed-loop neurostimulation for memory loss
🔹 Why cognitive BCIs could become a major new category in neurotechnology
🔹 What FDA Breakthrough Device Designation means for clinical development
🔹 Why direct-to-consumer cognitive enhancement still needs stronger evidence
🔹 How the neurotech field is evolving from research breakthroughs to real patient impact
Host:
Chay Carter
Founder, Carter Sciences
Co-Founder, Reccy Neuro
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chay-carter/
Guest:
Dr. Dan Rizzuto
President and Chief Technology Officer at Nia Therapeutics
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rizzuto/
Key Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Dan Rizzuto and Nia Therapeutics
02:23 Closed-Loop Neurostimulation for Memory Loss
05:09 From Motor BCIs to Cognitive Applications
09:40 How Nia’s Implantable and Wearable System Works
12:00 Cognitive Enhancement, Ethics, and Future Possibilities
14:09 FDA Breakthrough Device Designation and Regulatory Pathways
16:18 Fundraising, Clinical Trials, and What Comes Next
21:22 Emerging Modalities, Brain Data, and the Future of Neurotech
The Open Loop is a podcast exploring the people, companies, and ideas shaping the future of neurotechnology.
