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Jan 17, 2025

Neuromodulation Market Size, Analysis, Projection, and Beyond

Neuromodulation Market Size, Analysis, Projection, and Beyond

Growth-of-the-neuromodulation-market

Neuromodulation has long been recognized for its groundbreaking potential to offer innovative solutions to patients with chronic conditions. The rapidly evolving neuromodulation market continues to capture attention as new advancements in sensor technology and therapy applications emerge, offering enhanced patient care and better clinical outcomes. With significant progress over the last few decades, the market remains on an upward trajectory, and 2025 promises further developments that could reshape treatment options for chronic diseases.

Historically dominated by spinal cord stimulation (SCS) and deep brain stimulation (DBS), the neuromodulation field is now expanding into new areas. These advancements are improving lives by offering novel solutions to manage previously difficult-to-treat conditions. Let’s dive into the current state of the neuromodulation market, the forces driving its growth, and what the future holds for this transformative field.

The Foundations of Neuromodulation: A Legacy of Innovation

The origins of neuromodulation can be traced back to two pivotal technologies—SCS and DBS—that continue to shape the landscape today.

  • SCS: First introduced in the 1960s, SCS offers patients suffering from chronic pain a way to manage pain by delivering electrical pulses to the spinal cord. With over 1.5 billion people globally affected by chronic pain, this technology has played a central role in pain management, especially for those with complex regional pain syndrome or failed back surgery syndrome.
  • DBS: Since the FDA approval of DBS for Parkinson’s disease treatment in 2002, this therapy has revolutionized the management of neurological conditions. By targeting specific brain regions with electrical pulses, DBS has been shown to alleviate symptoms such as tremors and rigidity, offering significant improvements in the quality of life for patients with Parkinson’s and other neurological disorders.

These pioneering technologies laid the groundwork for the neuromodulation market, establishing their feasibility and encouraging further exploration into other clinical applications.

Diversification and Expansion: New Applications of Neuromodulation

The evolution of neuromodulation is no longer limited to pain management and movement disorders. The market is now expanding into a diverse range of therapeutic areas, with a growing recognition of the nervous system’s role in regulating various bodily functions. These advancements are opening up new treatment opportunities for patients who previously had limited options.

Some notable emerging applications are detailed below:

Emerging Neuromodulation Applications

Details

Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)

Initially developed for epilepsy and depression, VNS is now being explored for treating inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease. This therapy leverages the vagus nerve’s ability to modulate immune responses, presenting a novel approach to managing systemic diseases.

Sacral Neuromodulation (SNM)

Widely used to treat conditions such as overactive bladder and fecal incontinence, SNM is gaining traction as a non-pharmacologic solution to pelvic floor disorders. The rise in demand for alternatives to drug-based treatments has fueled its growth.

Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS)

Centered primarily around localized pain management, PNS is being studied for its potential to address post-surgical recovery and conditions like migraines. This therapy’s ability to target specific nerve pathways offers new opportunities for patients seeking relief from chronic pain.

Technological advances—including closed-loop systems, miniaturized implants, and AI-powered algorithms—have made it possible to expand neuromodulation’s therapeutic applications. These innovations are shaping the future of the neuromodulation market.

The Growing Neuromodulation Market

The growth of the neuromodulation market is undeniable. In 2024, total sales of neuromodulation devices are estimated to have reached approximately $6 billion, with implantable devices accounting for the bulk of this market share.

SCS remains the largest subsegment within the neuromodulation market, contributing over $2.5 billion in sales in 2024. This market is expected to experience moderate growth over the next several years as increasing numbers of patients seek alternatives to opioids for chronic pain management.

SNS has seen impressive growth and is now the second-largest subsegment in the neuromodulation market. Valued at $1.7 billion in 2024, SNS is growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6% from 2024 to 2029. By the end of this decade, SNS is expected to surpass SCS in terms of sales, driven by the widespread prevalence of urinary incontinence.

VNS, while still a smaller subsegment, is poised for significant growth in the coming years. With product sales expected to approach $1 billion by the 2030s, VNS is one to watch as its applications expand into additional therapeutic areas.

In total, LSI’s Global Surgical Procedure Volumes (SPV) database projects that over 4 million neuromodulation procedures will be performed globally in 2024, with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) accounting for nearly half of these procedures.

Driving Factors for Market Growth

The continued growth of the neuromodulation market is driven by a range of factors, all contributing to the widespread adoption and success of neuromodulation technologies. 

Factors Driving Adoption

Details

Advances in Neuroscience

As our understanding of the nervous system’s role in regulating immunity, metabolism, and emotional health advances, new therapeutic targets are emerging, driving innovation in neuromodulation.

Non-Invasive Devices

With the rise of transcutaneous and wearable neuromodulation technologies, patients now have more accessible, non-invasive options to manage chronic conditions.

Rising Healthcare Costs

Neuromodulation therapies, which reduce reliance on costly drugs and hospital-based treatments, are being adopted as a more cost-effective solution for managing chronic diseases.

Patient Preference

Many patients are seeking alternatives to long-term medication due to concerns about side effects or diminishing efficacy. Neuromodulation technologies, which provide non-drug-based therapies, are increasingly seen as an attractive option.

New Horizons for Neuromodulation: Opportunities in Chronic Condition Management

The applications of neuromodulation are expanding into various chronic conditions, offering new hope for patients in need of innovative treatments. Some areas where neuromodulation is showing particular promise include:

  • Chronic Pain Management: As the opioid crisis continues to escalate, neuromodulation technologies like dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation provide a critical non-opioid solution for pain management, especially for underserved pain conditions.
  • Neurological Disorders: From multiple sclerosis to Alzheimer’s disease, neuromodulation is being explored for its potential to alter disease progression or alleviate debilitating symptoms.
  • Mental Health Conditions: Neuromodulation technologies such as DBS and transcranial Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS) are providing new treatments for mental health disorders, including depression, PTSD, and anxiety.
  • Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders: New neuromodulation techniques like baroreflex activation therapy and gastric nerve stimulation offer potential solutions for conditions such as hypertension, heart failure, and obesity.

Companies Leading the Charge in Neuromodulation

Several companies are at the forefront of revolutionizing the neuromodulation market with innovative technologies and advancements. For example, companies like Sinaptica Therapeutics and Inner Cosmos are developing closed-loop systems and implantable devices designed to address chronic neurological conditions and mental health issues. These firms are setting the stage for the future of personalized neuromodulation therapy.

Additionally, INBRAIN Neuroelectronics, a company focused on graphene-based neuromodulation devices, is pushing the boundaries of precision neurology with ultra-thin, flexible implants capable of modulating brain activity with unprecedented precision.

Conclusion: The Future of the Neuromodulation Market

The neuromodulation market is expanding rapidly, with applications growing beyond pain and movement disorders to address a variety of chronic conditions. The ongoing advancements in neuromodulation technology, coupled with a deeper understanding of the nervous system’s role in health, are driving the future of healthcare. As this field continues to mature, neuromodulation therapies will play a pivotal role in transforming the treatment landscape, offering millions of patients less invasive, targeted solutions to improve their quality of life.

As research continues and technologies evolve, the potential for neuromodulation to address a wide range of health issues—both physical and mental—will only grow, bringing new hope to those with unmet medical needs.