Elon Musk’s company can now implant brain chips in people

Initially, Neuralink wanted to gain approval for ten participants, but after safety concerns were raised by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the company had to negotiate a smaller participant pool.

However, the final number approved by the FDA has not been confirmed. This latest development comes after Neuralink was given credit for its first human clinical trial in May, a time when it was also under federal investigation for its animal testing practices.

Experts have weighed in on the timeline for the startup, suggesting that even if the Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) implant proves safe in humans, it could be a decade or more before commercial use is allowed, Reuters reported .

The long-term vision for Neuralink, as expressed by Musk, goes beyond paralysis treatment. The founder has ambitious plans that extend to rapidly surgically inserting chip devices to treat a range of conditions, from obesity and autism to depression and schizophrenia.

At the heart of this groundbreaking research is a complex surgical process. A robot places the BCI implant in a specific brain area responsible for the intention to move. The immediate goal is simple: to enable the subjects to operate a computer keyboard or move a cursor just by using their thoughts.

The clinical trial is expected to last approximately six years and pave the way for a comprehensive understanding of the implant’s safety and efficacy. While some skepticism remains, the company adds a new layer to the broader conversation about how technology can be used to solve complex health problems.

(With Reuters inputs)

Updated: Sep 20, 2023 07:04 IST