San Francisco, January 30, 2024, The Europe Today: Brain-chip startup Neuralink, founded by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, announced the successful implantation of its device in the first human patient on Sunday. Elon Musk shared the news on the social media platform X, stating that the initial results indicate promising neuron spike detection.
Neurons, described by the National Institute of Health as cells using electrical and chemical signals to transmit information within the brain and to the body, exhibited favorable spike activity during the initial assessment.
Last year, Neuralink received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to conduct its first human trial, marking a crucial step toward the company’s goal of assisting patients dealing with paralysis and various neurological conditions. In September, Neuralink secured approval for recruiting participants for the human trial.
The trial involves the use of a robot to surgically implant a brain-computer interface (BCI) in a specific brain region responsible for controlling movement intentions. Neuralink aims to empower individuals to control computer cursors or keyboards solely through their thoughts.
The ultra-fine threads of the implants play a crucial role in transmitting signals within participants’ brains. Elon Musk revealed that the first product derived from Neuralink’s efforts will be named Telepathy.
Known as the PRIME Study, Neuralink’s trial focuses on evaluating the safety of the implant and surgical robot used for the wireless brain-computer interface. Further details about the successful implantation have not been disclosed by Neuralink at the time of this report.
