Neuralink, the neurotechnology company founded by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, announced on Tuesday that it has received approval from an independent review board to initiate its first human trial on paralysis patients.
The company stated that the study aims to test the safety and efficacy of its implantable brain chip, with the goal of enabling people with paralysis to control external devices using their thoughts.
Neuralink mentioned that patients suffering from paralysis due to conditions such as cervical spinal cord injuries or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may qualify for the trial.
During the study, the company’s robot, known as R1, will use extremely fine and flexible threads to surgically implant a brain chip, known as N1, into an area of the brain associated with motor control.
Once in place, the N1 chip is virtually invisible from a cosmetic perspective and is designed to wirelessly record and transmit brain signals to an app that decodes the intent of movement, the initial goal of the chip is to allow individuals to control a computer cursor or keyboard using their thoughts alone.
Elon Musk previously mentioned in mid-June that he expected Neuralink’s first human trial to begin later this year, while he did not specify the number of patients who would receive brain implants or the exact timing, he stated, “The first case of a person with paralysis will be later this year.”
Neuralink is working on developing an electronic brain implant, called Link, designed to help severely paralyzed patients control external electronic devices using neural signals.
In addition to treating paralysis, the company, founded in 2016, is also working on electronic brain chips that could compensate for damaged brain regions, opening the door to potential treatments for currently untreatable conditions such as dementia and blindness.
