The American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates has unanimously adopted a new policy aimed at protecting patients’ neural data, following its annual meeting in Chicago on June 11, 2025.
The policy, introduced as Resolution 503, “Safeguarding Neural Data Collected by Neurotechnologies,” was brought forward by Dr. Lynn Parry, a neurologist from Littleton and member of the Colorado Delegation to the AMA. The resolution builds upon a Colorado law passed in 2024 that expanded state consumer privacy protections to include neural data. This law was led by Dr. Sean Pauzauskie of UCHealth in Fort Collins and then-Representative Cathy Kipp.
The new AMA policy formalizes a definition for neural data as “information obtained by measuring the activity of a person’s central or peripheral nervous system through the use of neurotechnologies,” excluding information inferred from nonneural sources. The policy supports further legislative and regulatory measures to safeguard users from potential misuse of their neural data.
Dr. Parry commented on the process: “It was due to the extraordinary efforts of Dr. Sean Pauzauskie and the Neurorights Foundation that the Colorado Medical Society not only had a policy on defining and protecting personal neural data but also succeeded in advocating for the state of Colorado to become the first in the nation to extend its state consumer data privacy law, the Colorado Privacy Act, to protect neural data. It was, therefore, a great privilege for the Colorado Delegation to the AMA House of Delegates to drive the adoption of this critical resolution that, with the support of the American Academy of Neurology, has now become a new policy of the American Medical Association.”
Dr. Pauzauskie added: “The AMA’s new policy represents a defining moment for the protection of patient and consumer neural data – in addition to its clear language on what does and does not constitute neural data, paving the way for further state and federal efforts, it also opens the next frontiers of fair access to and freedom from bias from neurotechnologies. We applaud the AMA’s leadership in so clearly focusing global attention on these critical questions.”
Neurotechnology devices are designed either as invasive (implantable) or non-invasive (wearable) tools that can record or modify nervous system activity. These technologies have long been used within medical and research settings but are now increasingly entering consumer markets.
Concerns about possible misuse by private companies prompted lawmakers in Colorado to pass HB24-1058—the first law extending consumer privacy protections specifically to neural data—in August 2024. Dr. Pauzauskie played an important role during this legislative effort. After its passage he wrote: “HB24-1058 provides a simple, reasonable, balanced approach towards the protection of patients, and clear standards to promote and incentivize innovation in the coming age of neurotechnology for Colorado. Colorado takes care of its own and as a member of the Colorado physician community, I felt that I needed to help protect the data that makes us us.” He continued: “Physicians in Colorado are responsible for initiating the first law in the nation for the protection of privately collected biological and neural data, a real win for patients and trust in the era of medical-grade consumer neurotechnology. I feel a deep sense of honor knowing I worked to create this change for my patients.”
With rapid advances outpacing current regulations surrounding neurotechnologies nationally—and with growing commercial applications—Resolution 503 seeks both clarity on definitions related to neural data and renewed focus on developing appropriate protections.
