A computer chip developed by Neuralink has been implanted in the company’s first human subject, marking a breakthrough in the cutting-edge field of brain-computer interface (BCI) research, according to company co-founder and owner Elon Musk. It became.
“The first humans received implants from Neuralink. As of yesterday, he was recovering well,” Musk said. announced on Twitter late Monday. “Early results show promising neuronal spike detection.”
Neuralink’s first foray into BCI aims to decode intended movement signals from brain activity, allowing it to control external devices such as computers. From there, Musk also laid out his vision for the company’s first product: telepathy.
”[It] “With just a thought, you will be able to control your mobile phone, your computer, and through them almost any device. The first users will be people who have lost the use of their limbs… , imagine if we could communicate faster than human speed,” he tweeted. typist or auctioneer. That’s the goal. ”
The California-based company, founded in 2016, received the green light from federal regulators at the Food and Drug Administration in September to begin human trials, and Neuralink has publicly solicited volunteers for the PRIME study. Accurate robot-embedded brain-computer interfaces. ”
But talk of the company’s progress subsided somewhat in November. Reuters The report detailed the painful and sometimes grotesque results of animal experiments.
volunteer pool
Although details regarding Sunday’s procedure or its subject matter have not been disclosed (Neuralink’s blog was last updated nearly five months ago), Neuralink’s recruitment materials do contain information regarding participation in human trials. Some of the requirements are outlined.
“We are looking for people who have suffered from quadriplegia (limited function in all four limbs) due to spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and who have been at least one year post-injury (no improvement).” says the company. explained in the brochure Posted online. Participants also must be 22 years of age or older and have a “consistent and reliable caregiver.”
This time includes nine visits (some in clinic, some at home) over 18 months and two one-hour “study sessions” per week.
Even after the primary study is complete, Neuralink expects participants to work together for an additional five years and make an additional 20 visits.
technology
The study tested several components, including the BCI implant itself, called N1, and a robot that “surgically places the N1 implant in the area of the brain that controls motor intention.”
The N1 has 1,024 electrodes distributed across 64 threads, each “thinner than a human hair,” Neuralink says. It records and sends neural activity to a mobile app, with the aim of allowing patients to control a computer with their thoughts.
According to Neuralink, the implant is “visually invisible.”
controversy
Many research institutions and private companies are developing BCI technology. However, few involve surgical implants.
The animal rights organization Committee for Responsible Medical Physicians (PCRM) has long been criticized Neuralink approach.
“Implantable devices like Neuralink have a myriad of problems, including being difficult to repair and being more likely to cause serious medical complications for patients,” the group said. claimed they were getting a “free pass” despite violating federal animal welfare laws. From agencies responsible for law enforcement. ”
When images of Neuralink animal test subjects were published, released In November, PCRM announced that the company was “dismembering and killing monkeys” due to “chronic infection, paralysis, seizures, and death.” The group called on Neuralink to stop animal testing and instead focus on improving non-invasive brain-machine interfaces. .
“Non-invasive” [brain–machine interfaces] The group says that because it uses electroencephalograms (EEGs), “large-scale neural activity throughout the brain can be monitored risk-free,” and that in addition to assisting movement and movement, it already “enables people to communicate.” “I will make it happen,” he added. directly using your computer. ”
Last fall, scientists were able to recreate the music subjects were thinking using electrodes on their skin.
However, Neuralink’s surgical approach is not unique.
Last summer, a paralyzed New York man was able to move his arms and feel touch thanks to a neural implant.
Houston-based Motif Neurotech, which announced an $18.75 Series A funding round last week, is developing “minimally invasive” wireless therapy hardware for mental health.
Neuralink’s rapid advancements into human testing “validates the interest and demand for neurotechnology,” said Motif Neurotech CEO Jacob Robinson. Said of wall street journal.
