Elon Musk, the founder of Neuralink, has obtained authorization for the inaugural human trial of the company's brain chip. On Tuesday, the neurotechnology firm revealed that it has been granted approval to commence recruiting patients for a six-year study centred on individuals with paralysis, with a focus on those afflicted by neck injuries or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to Reuters. The objective of the clinical trial for the brain implant is to assess its safety and effectiveness in enabling individuals to control a computer cursor or keyboard using their thoughts. To achieve this, a robot will be used to surgically place the implant into the portion of the brain responsible for movement.
The study is expected to span approximately six years, and the exact number of participants has not been disclosed as of yet. Initially, the company had sought approval to implant its device in ten patients. However, discussions between Neuralink and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) led to a reduction in the proposed number of patients due to safety concerns raised by the FDA, according to current and former employees. The specific quantity of patients granted approval by the FDA remains undisclosed.
Previously, in May, Neuralink announced that it had obtained FDA approval for its first human clinical trial. However, the company was already under federal investigation for its handling of animal testing. Even if the brain-computer interface (BCI) device is proven to be safe for human use, it may still take more than a decade for the startup to secure approval for commercial sale, according to experts.
For those unfamiliar with Neuralink, it is a neurotechnology firm founded by Elon Musk in 2016. The company's primary focus is the development of an implantable brain-computer interface (BCI) capable of translating thoughts into actions. In essence, Neuralink aims to create a BCI that can be employed to operate external devices such as prosthetic limbs or computers and restore lost brain functions.
Although Neuralink remains in the early stages of development, it has achieved notable progress. In 2020, Neuralink showcased a functional BCI that could be employed to control a computer cursor using a monkey's thoughts. Currently, the firm is working on a BCI that can be implanted in humans.
Meanwhile, Elon Musk harbours ambitious intentions for the Neuralink brain chip. The billionaire contends that it could be used to swiftly implant chip devices for the treatment of conditions like obesity, autism, depression, and schizophrenia.
