Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk announced that his brain-implant chip startup Neuralink has successfully performed its first ever implant in a human.
The billionaire in a statement, noted that the first human patient had received the implant on Sunday, January 28,2024 and was recovering well.
“Initial results show promising neuron spike detection,” Musk said in a post on X, Monday January 29.
According to the National Institute of Health, spikes are neuron activities containing cells that use chemical and electrical signals to send information around the brain and to the body.
Musk also noted that Neuralink’s first product is called Telepathy.
The in-human clinical trial marks just one step on Neuralink’s path towards commercialization.
However, medical device companies must go through several rounds of intense data safety collection and testing before securing final approval from the Food and Drug Agency (FDA).
Brain Chip Technology
According to Musk, if the technology functions properly, patients with severe degenerative diseases like ALS could someday use the implant to communicate or access social media by moving cursors and typing with their minds.
“Imagine if Stephen Hawking could communicate faster than a speed typist or auctioneer, that is the goal,” said Elon Musk.
The announcement by Musk comes months after Neuralink received an approval to embark on recruiting paralysis patients for its first human brain implant trial in September 2023.
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The first human trial of its revolutionary brain implant was designed to transform the lives of paralysis patients and restore autonomy to those with unmet medical conditions.
“Neuralink‘s first-in-human clinical trial is open for recruitment,” the company announced back in September 2023.
This groundbreaking initiative came as a ray of hope for individuals grappling with quadriplegia due to conditions like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and cervical spinal cord injury who qualify for the study.
Neuralink did not however disclose the number of participants it intended to involve in the pioneering trial which is set to take about six years.
“The study will employ cutting-edge robotics to delicately implant a brain-computer interface (BCI) into a specific region of the brain responsible for the intention to move,” Neuralink said.
Neuralink’s Vision
The company further added that the overarching aim of the interface is to empower individuals to control a computer cursor or keyboard using nothing but the power of their thoughts alone.
Furthermore, what makes Neuralink‘s venture even more fascinating is its potential beyond this trial phase.
The world’s richest man envisions a future where the swift surgical insertion of these chip devices can treat a spectrum of conditions, ranging from obesity and autism to depression and schizophrenia.
However, even if the Brain Computer Interface (BCI) device proves its safety and efficacy for human use, it could still take over a decade to secure commercial clearance, according to experts.
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Initially, the company sought approval to implant its devices in ten patients, with negotiations with the FDA leading to a revised patient count after the agency raised safety concerns.
However, the company has faced calls for scrutiny regarding its safety protocols with reports indicating that the company was fined earlier this month.
According to Reuters, Neuralink violated U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) rules regarding the movement of hazardous materials.
