Neuralink, Elon Musk’s biotech venture, has successfully implanted a brain chip in its inaugural human recipient, as disclosed by Musk in a series of updates on the social media platform X. The patient, according to Musk, is in good recovery, with promising results indicating the detection of neuron spikes, which are signals of neural activity.
The achievement marks a significant milestone for Neuralink, having received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last year to initiate human trials. This regulatory approval is a pivotal step for the company’s mission to address paralysis and various neurological conditions in patients.
The ongoing PRIME Study, utilizing a wireless brain-computer interface and a surgical robot, aims to assess the safety of the implant. Neuralink’s innovative approach involves the use of “ultra-fine” threads to transmit signals within participants’ brains.
Musk revealed that the initial product from Neuralink, named Telepathy, is designed to empower individuals to control devices such as phones and computers through their thoughts. The long-term vision includes aiding those who have lost limb functionality, envisioning a scenario where individuals like Stephen Hawking could communicate at an accelerated pace.
The FDA’s approval for in-human clinical trials in the spring paved the way for Neuralink to commence patient recruitment in September, further propelling the company’s pursuit of groundbreaking advancements in brain-chip technology. Newsweek has sought additional details from Neuralink for a comprehensive understanding of this groundbreaking development.
