After receiving FDA approval, Elon Musk’s Neuralink is gearing up to begin testing its controversial brain-chip implants in paralyzed volunteers. The company announced in an official blog post that they are currently recruiting clinical trial participants to assess the safety and functionality of the technology.
The company stated, “The PRIME study is being conducted under an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) granted by the FDA in May 2023 and represents a significant milestone in our mission to create a general-purpose brain-computer interface to restore autonomy for individuals with unmet medical needs.” “Our initial goal with BCIs is to enable people to control a computer cursor or keyboard with their thoughts.”
To achieve this, tiny, flexible threads with electrodes will be surgically implanted into the motor control areas of the brain. The company explained, “During the research phase, the R1 robot will be used for surgical placement of the N1 Link implant into the motor cortex of the brain.” “Participants will be asked to use the N1 Link implant and N1 User App to control a computer and provide feedback to the system.”
Once implanted, Neuralink claims its device can read intended hand and finger movements of the users and translate them into commands to control external devices.
The N1 Link is a brain chip that records neural activity. According to the company, it has a diameter of approximately 8mm, but each of its 1,024 electrodes is thinner than a human hair.
This highly invasive approach is not without risks, but recent breakthroughs in less invasive methods to restore mobility for paralyzed patients have also been made. For example, quadriplegic Keith Thomas regained the use of his arm simply by thinking about it after scientists at Northwell Health implanted sensors on the surface of his brain.
If proven safe and effective, Neuralink’s brain chip could offer new independence to individuals with paralysis from spinal cord injuries or conditions like ALS. However, this technology also raises ethical concerns about brain implants that can literally read people’s thoughts.
Neuralink’s announcement continues a history of controversy surrounding animal testing. As detailed in a Reuters report, the company faced accusations of conducting flawed experiments that led to the deaths of more than 1,500 animals.
Participants willing to test the device will receive compensation for “research-related costs” over the course of the six-year study.
The trial, called the “PRIME Study” (short for Precision Implant for Man-machine Interface), has been approved to begin at a single undisclosed hospital location. Neuralink, with its recent $280 million in funding, has ambitious plans for its technology, envisioning a future where mind-reading chips supported by AI become widespread and enhance human capabilities.
However, there are still many legal and ethical hurdles before billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk’s vision becomes a reality. While advancements like Neuralink hold promise for patients with limited mobility, the line between treatment and human enhancement may become increasingly blurred.