About

David Borton is an Associate Professor of Engineering at Brown University and serves as the Interim Director of the Institute for Biology, Engineering and Medicine. His research interests encompass neuroengineering, neuromotor disease, neuroprosthetics, responsive neuromodulation, and spinal cord injury. Borton's work involves developing advanced neurotechnologies aimed at restoring motor control and sensory feedback for individuals with spinal cord injuries, as evidenced by recent clinical trials demonstrating that electrical stimulation of the spinal cord can enable coordinated walking movements. His contributions include pioneering efforts in electrical stimulation techniques to restore limb movement and sensory functions, as well as developing intelligent spinal interfaces supported by significant funding such as a $6.3 million grant from DARPA. Borton's research has also extended to understanding brain signals associated with OCD, paving the way for adaptive deep brain stimulation therapies. His work has been recognized through appointments to the Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Research and Development Post and has contributed to groundbreaking research assisting paralyzed veterans and patients, highlighting his focus on translational neuroengineering solutions.

Research topics

• Computer Science
• Artificial Intelligence
• Psychology
• Medicine
• Surgery
• Pathology
• Cognitive psychology
• Neuroscience
• Physical medicine and rehabilitation
• Audiology

Selected publications

• A modular, high-bandwidth, bidirectional implantable device for neural interrogation

  bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · 2026-02-24

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Abstract Modern neuroelectronic interfaces have shown great potential to diagnose conditions, address neurological dysfunction, and advance neuroscientific knowledge. However, neural interface systems today require tethered connections that restrict mobility, prevent testing across ecological contexts, and inhibit clinical translation to at-home use. Fully implantable commercial systems have previously been developed, but exhibit significant constraints, including a bulky design, limited modularity, low bandwidth, or unidirectional communication (e.g. deep brain stimulation systems, DBS; spinal cord stimulation systems, SCS). Here, we have developed the Modular Bionic Interface (MBI), a system composed of a fully implantable device and a worn unit for high-bandwidth, bidirectional interfacing with the nervous system. The MBI can record high fidelity electrophysiological signals and deliver spatiotemporally modulated electrical stimulation for clinical and research purposes through flexible interaction with third party implantable devices. We performed benchtop evaluation to validate the recording and stimulation capabilities of the MBI across a diverse range of inputs and outputs. We then evaluated the MBI system in vivo through chronic implantation within a sheep, where results were stable for the length of evaluation, over three months. While connected to an actively powered, third-party high-resolution spinal cord stimulation electrode array, the MBI system was able to deliver stimulation to evoke lower extremity motor responses and record spinal compound action potentials evoked by peripheral nerve and spinal stimulation. Through rigorous evaluation, we demonstrate a fully implantable system with a small footprint capable of high-resolution, bi-directional communication with the nervous system via modular connections to third-party devices. We expect that modular devices will further our ability to treat complex neurological disease and injury.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Perilesional neuromodulation replaces lost sensorimotor function in persons with spinal cord injury

  Nature Biomedical Engineering · 2026-03-11

  articleSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• An active electronic, high-density epidural paddle array for chronic spinal cord neuromodulation

  Journal of Neural Engineering · 2025-03-19 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Objective . Epidural electrical stimulation (EES) has shown promise as both a clinical therapy and research tool for studying nervous system function. However, available clinical EES paddles are limited to using a small number of contacts due to the burden of wires necessary to connect each contact to the therapeutic delivery device, limiting the treatment area or density of epidural electrode arrays. We aimed to eliminate this burden using advanced on-paddle electronics. Approach . We developed a smart EES paddle with a 60-electrode programmable array, addressable using an active electronic multiplexer embedded within the electrode paddle body. The electronics are sealed in novel, ultra-low profile hermetic packaging. We conducted extensive reliability testing on the novel array, including a battery of ISO 10993-1 biocompatibility tests and determination of the hermetic package leak rate. We then evaluated the EES device in vivo , placed on the epidural surface of the ovine lumbosacral spinal cord for 15 months. Main results. The active paddle array performed nominally when implanted in sheep for over 15 months and no device-related malfunctions were observed. The onboard multiplexer enabled bespoke electrode arrangements across, and within, experimental sessions. We identified stereotyped responses to stimulation in lower extremity musculature, and examined local field potential responses to EES using high-density recording bipoles. Finally, spatial electrode encoding enabled machine learning models to accurately perform EES parameter inference for unseen stimulation electrodes, reducing the need for extensive training data in future deep models. Significance . We report the development and chronic large animal in vivo evaluation of a high-density EES paddle array containing active electronics. Our results provide a foundation for more advanced computation and processing to be integrated directly into devices implanted at the neural interface, opening new avenues for the study of nervous system function and new therapies to treat neural injury and dysfunction.

  PublisherDOI

• Participant Perspectives on an Invasive Spinal Neuromodulation Study for Functional Sensorimotor and Autonomic Restoration in Chronic Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury: A Qualitative Case Series

  Topics in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation · 2025-01-01

  article

  Background: Emerging neuromodulation approaches, including epidural electrical stimulation (EES), offer hope for restoration of function following chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). However, integrating neuromodulation therapies into clinical procedures is challenging due to the unique needs of the SCI population. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of participants during a first-in-human trial of perilesional EES aimed at restoring sensorimotor function. Methods: We report participants' experiences by describing their clinical care, experiences during experimental neuromodulation sessions, and perspectives on the utility of a perilesional EES system. Three participants with chronic thoracic SCI participated in semistructured interviews after completing a 14-day inpatient experimental protocol, which included stimulation mapping, lower extremity motor control experiments, and treadmill stepping. Interview data were analyzed using an applied thematic analysis approach. Nine key themes addressed 4 major topic areas: clinical experiences, experiences during laboratory experiments, experiences as a research participant, and perceived value of perilesional EES. Results: All participants noted the potential for EES to enhance functional recovery, though their postoperative experiences related to clinical care, postoperative pain, and disruptions to routine care differed. Insights gained from qualitative analyses highlighted challenges and opportunities for improving postsurgical care and refining application of EES technology. Further, these results inform recommendations for neuromodulation trials in the SCI community to help mitigate postoperative complications and improve study participant experiences. Conclusion: Key recommendations include being proactive regarding potential postsurgical complications, educating clinical staff regarding common SCI comorbidities, and customizing experimental protocols to align with the priorities and clinical needs of each participant.

  PublisherDOI

• Stem cells help restore hand function after spinal cord injury in monkeys

  Nature Biotechnology · 2025-11-17

  articleSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• High Beta Power in the Ventrolateral Prefrontal Cortex Indexes Human Approach Behavior: A Case Study

  Journal of Neuroscience · 2025-01-31 · 6 citations

  articleOpen access

  Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the ventral capsule and ventral striatum (VC/VS) is an effective therapy for treatment-resistant obsessive–compulsive disorder (trOCD). DBS initiation often produces acute improvements in mood and energy. These acute behavioral changes, which we refer to as “approach behaviors,” include increased social engagement and talkativeness. We investigated the relationship between stimulation amplitude, spectral power in the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (vlPFC), and speech rate in one male patient with trOCD implanted with bilateral VC/VS DBS leads and subdural electrodes adjacent to the orbitofrontal cortex and vlPFC. Several times over the first 24 weeks of therapy, we conducted experiments where we recorded data during epochs of high-amplitude or zero-/low-amplitude stimulation. We found that both the speech rate and vlPFC power in a high beta frequency band (31 ± 1.5 Hz, 1/ f activity removed) increased during high-amplitude as compared with low-amplitude periods. The speech rate correlated with vlPFC high beta power. These effects were more consistent across time points in the left hemisphere than the right. At Week 24, we performed an experiment where stimulation was held constant, while the patient was asked to speak or remain silent. We showed that the presence or absence of speech was not sufficient to increase the vlPFC high beta power, suggesting stimulation is a key driver of the observed neurobehavioral phenomenon. Our results suggest vlPFC high beta power is a biomarker for approach behaviors associated with VC/VS DBS.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• xDev: a mixed-signal, software-defined neurotechnology interface platform for accelerated system development

  Journal of Neural Engineering · 2025-03-11

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Abstract Objective. Advances in electronics and materials science have led to the development of sophisticated components for clinical and research neurotechnology systems. However, instrumentation to easily evaluate how these components function in a complete system does not yet exist. In this work, we set out to design and validate a software-defined mixed-signal routing fabric, ‘xDev’, that enables neurotechnology system designers to rapidly iterate, evaluate, and deploy advanced multi-component systems. Approach. We developed a set of system requirements for xDev, and implemented a design based on a 16 × 16 analog crosspoint multiplexer. We then tested the impedance and switching characteristics of the design, assessed signal gain and crosstalk attenuation across biological and high-speed digital signaling frequencies, and evaluated the ability of xDev to flexibly reroute microvolt-scale amplitude and high-speed signals. Finally, we conducted an intraoperative in vivo deployment of xDev to rapidly conduct neuromodulation experiments using diverse neurotechnology submodules. Main results. The xDev system impedance matching, crosstalk attenuation, and frequency response characteristics accurately transmitted signals over a broad range of frequencies, encapsulating features typical of biosignals and extending into high-speed digital ranges. Microvolt-scale biosignals and 600 Mbps Ethernet connections were accurately routed through the fabric. These performance characteristics culminated in an in vivo demonstration of the flexibility of the system via implanted spinal electrode arrays in an ovine model. Significance. xDev represents a first-of-its-kind, low-cost, software-defined neurotechnology development accelerator platform. Through the public, open-source distribution of our designs, we lower the obstacles facing the development of future neurotechnology systems.

  PublisherDOI

• Toward a brighter constellation: multiorgan neuroimaging of neural and vascular dynamics in the spinal cord and brain

  Neurophotonics · 2024-05-07

  articleOpen accessCorresponding

  Significance: Pain comprises a complex interaction between motor action and somatosensation that is dependent on dynamic interactions between the brain and spinal cord. This makes understanding pain particularly challenging as it involves rich interactions between many circuits (e.g., neural and vascular) and signaling cascades throughout the body. As such, experimentation on a single region may lead to an incomplete and potentially incorrect understanding of crucial underlying mechanisms. Aim: We aimed to develop and validate tools to enable detailed and extended observation of neural and vascular activity in the brain and spinal cord. The first key set of innovations was targeted to developing novel imaging hardware that addresses the many challenges of multisite imaging. The second key set of innovations was targeted to enabling bioluminescent (BL) imaging, as this approach can address limitations of fluorescent microscopy including photobleaching, phototoxicity, and decreased resolution due to scattering of excitation signals. Approach: We designed 3D-printed brain and spinal cord implants to enable effective surgical implantations and optical access with wearable miniscopes or an open window (e.g., for one- or two-photon microscopy or optogenetic stimulation). We also tested the viability for BL imaging and developed a novel modified miniscope optimized for these signals (BLmini). Results: We describe "universal" implants for acute and chronic simultaneous brain-spinal cord imaging and optical stimulation. We further describe successful imaging of BL signals in both foci and a new miniscope, the "BLmini," which has reduced weight, cost, and form-factor relative to standard wearable miniscopes. Conclusions: The combination of 3D-printed implants, advanced imaging tools, and bioluminescence imaging techniques offers a coalition of methods for understanding spinal cord-brain interactions. Our work has the potential for use in future research into neuropathic pain and other sensory disorders and motor behavior.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Aperiodic (1/f) Neural Activity Robustly Tracks Symptom Severity Changes in Treatment-Resistant Depression

  Biological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging · 2024-11-14 · 6 citations

  articleOpen access

  BACKGROUND: A reliable physiological biomarker for major depressive disorder is essential for developing and optimizing neuromodulatory treatment paradigms. In this study, we investigated a passive electrophysiologic biomarker that tracks changes in depressive symptom severity on the order of minutes to hours. METHODS: = 2). This surgical setting allowed for precise temporal and spatial sensitivity in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, a challenging area to measure. We focused on the aperiodic slope of the power spectral density, a metric that reflects the balance of activity across all frequency bands and may serve as a proxy for excitatory/inhibitory balance in the brain. RESULTS: Our findings demonstrated that shifts in aperiodic slope correlated with depression severity, with flatter (less negative) slopes indicating reduced depression severity. This significant correlation was observed in all 5 participants, particularly in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. CONCLUSIONS: This biomarker offers a new way to track patient responses to major depressive disorder treatment, thus paving the way for individualized therapies in both intracranial and noninvasive monitoring contexts.

  PublisherDOI

• Stereo-Electroencephalography–Guided Network Neuromodulation for Psychiatric Disorders: The Neurophysiology Monitoring Unit

  Operative Neurosurgery · 2024-04-09 · 3 citations

  articleOpen access

  BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recent advances in stereotactic and functional neurosurgery have brought forth the stereo-electroencephalography approach which allows deeper interrogation and characterization of the contributions of deep structures to neural and affective functioning. We argue that this approach can and should be brought to bear on the notoriously intractable issue of defining the pathophysiology of refractory psychiatric disorders and developing patient-specific optimized stimulation therapies. METHODS: We have developed a suite of methods for maximally leveraging the stereo-electroencephalography approach for an innovative application to understand affective disorders, with high translatability across the broader range of refractory neuropsychiatric conditions. RESULTS: This article provides a roadmap for determining desired electrode coverage, tracking high-resolution research recordings across a large number of electrodes, synchronizing intracranial signals with ongoing research tasks and other data streams, applying intracranial stimulation during recording, and design choices for patient comfort and safety. CONCLUSION: These methods can be implemented across other neuropsychiatric conditions needing intensive electrophysiological characterization to define biomarkers and more effectively guide therapeutic decision-making in cases of severe and treatment-refractory disease.

  PublisherDOI

Recent grants

• Accelerating Dissemination of Implantable Neurotechnology for Clinical Research

  NIH · $4.4M · 2020–2026

• The Role of M1 Leg Area in Volitional and Stereotyped Control of the Lower Limb

  NIH · 2018–2025

• Spatiotemporal Coding in the Pain Circuit Along the Spine-brain Continuum

  NIH · $2.0M · 2018–2023

Frequent coauthors

• Nicole R. Provenza

  University of Pittsburgh

  130 shared

• Anusha Allawala

  119 shared

• Carl Y. Saab

  Providence College

  84 shared

• Wayne K. Goodman

  81 shared

• Matthew Tom Harrison

  University of Tasmania

  76 shared

• Sameer A. Sheth

  Rice University

  69 shared

• Nader Pouratian

  The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

  67 shared

• Evan M. Dastin-van Rijn

  University of Minnesota

  65 shared

Education

• Post-doc, SV

  Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne

  2014

• Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering, Engineering

  Brown University

  2012

• B.S. Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering

  Washington University in Saint Louis

  2006

Awards & honors

• Hibbitt Fellows
• Hope Street Fellows
• Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Research and Development Pos…