Neuralink, an American neurotechnology venture, was founded by Elon Musk and a team of seven scientists and engineers in 2016. With its base in Fremont, California, the company has been researching and developing implantable brain-computer interfaces.
On September 19th, 2023, Neuralink received the green light from an independent panel of experts to commence the human trials of its brain implants designed to help paralyzed patients. These trials are expected to mark a pivotal moment in demonstrating the effectiveness of brain chip technology in advancing the field of neurology and ushering in a new era of personalized healthcare.
The trial will span around six years, and the exact number of participants has not been disclosed yet. The trial, referred to as the “PRIME Study,” will be focused on patients dealing with paralysis caused by spinal cord injuries or progressive neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
The “PRIME" stands for "Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface." It is designed to investigate three key components simultaneously. First, there's the N1 implant, which is Neuralink's brain-computer device. Second, there's the R1 robot, responsible for surgically implanting the device. Lastly, there's the N1 User App, which serves as the software connecting to the N1 implant and translating brain signals into computer commands. Neuralink's focus during this study is to assess the safety and effectiveness of all three integral parts of the system.
In this trial, an advanced robotic system will be used to implant a brain chip into a specific part of the brain responsible for controlling movement intentions.
Neuralink aims to empower individuals to control a computer cursor or keyboard solely through their thoughts, potentially restoring some independence to those who have lost control of their bodily movements.
Initially, Neuralink had plans to seek approval for implanting its innovative devices in 10 patients. However, discussions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) resulted in a reduction in the proposed number of participants due to raised safety concerns. Moreover, Neuralink is actively searching for eligible participants over the age of 22 with a consistent and reliable caregiver.
After receiving approval for human trials on paralyzed patients, Elon Musk envisions Neuralink’s technology to be capable of transforming treatment strategies for various conditions such as obesity, autism, depression, and schizophrenia.
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