Elon Musk announces the successful implantation of the Neuralink device in the first human patient, indicating promising neuron spike detection.
KEYPOINTS
- Neuralink gains FDA clearance for a human trial, advancing its mission to address paralysis and neurological disorders through brain-chip technology.
- Despite scrutiny, Neuralink progresses with a wireless brain-computer interface trial, using ultra-fine threads for signal transmission, but faces questions over regulatory compliance and safety disclosures.
Elon Musk, the billionaire founder of Neuralink, announced on Sunday that the first human patient had received an implant from the brain-chip startup and is currently in stable condition. Musk shared on the social media platform X the encouraging initial results, indicating promising detection of neuron spikes. These spikes denote the activity of neurons, which are cells responsible for transmitting information throughout the brain and body using electrical and chemical signals, as described by the National Institute of Health.
Last year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted Neuralink clearance to initiate its inaugural trial aimed at testing the implant on humans, a significant step forward in the company’s mission to assist patients in overcoming paralysis and various neurological disorders. Neuralink received approval to commence recruitment for the human trial in September. The trial involves the utilization of a robotic system to precisely implant a brain-computer interface (BCI) in a brain region responsible for movement intentions, with the primary objective of empowering individuals to control a computer cursor or keyboard solely through their thoughts.
Neuralink’s implant employs “ultra-fine” threads to facilitate signal transmission within participants’ brains. Musk disclosed in a separate X post that the initial product from Neuralink would be named Telepathy. The startup’s PRIME Study represents a trial of its wireless brain-computer interface, focusing on assessing the safety of the implant and surgical robot. However, Neuralink has yet to respond to a Reuters request for additional information. Despite achieving significant milestones, the company has faced scrutiny over its safety protocols, particularly following reports of violations of U.S. Department of Transportation regulations and concerns raised by lawmakers regarding the accuracy of disclosures about the technology’s safety, prompted by veterinary records documenting adverse effects in monkeys subjected to the implants. Musk clarified in a social media update in September that no monkey had died due to a Neuralink implant, stressing the selection of “terminal” monkeys to mitigate risks to healthy ones.
