First Human Implant of Brain Chip Achieved by Elon Musk’s Neuralink

(Reuters) – The first human patient received an implanted brain chip from startup Neuralink on Sunday and is recovering well, the company’s billionaire founder Elon Musk said.

“Initial results show promise for detecting spikes in neurons,” Musk said on social media X on Monday.

Spikes are the activity of neurons, which the National Institute of Health describes as cells that use electrical and chemical signals to send information around the brain and body.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration last year had given the company permission to conduct its first human trial of the implant, a critical milestone in the startup’s efforts to help patients overcome paralysis and a range of neurological diseases.

In September, Neuralink announced that it had received approval for recruitment for a human trial.

Neuralink previously said, adding that its initial goal is to allow humans to control a computer cursor or keyboard with a robot. use their thoughts alone.

The implants’ “very fine” wires help transmit signals in participants’ brains, Neuralink has said.

Neuralink’s first product would be called Telepathy, Musk said in a separate message on X.

The startup’s PRIME study is an experiment for its wireless brain-computer interface to evaluate the safety of an implant and a surgical robot.

Neuralink did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for more information.

The company has had to review its safety protocols. Reuters reported earlier this month that the company was fined for violating US Department of Transportation (DOT) rules on transporting hazardous materials.

The company was valued at about $5 billion last June, but four lawmakers asked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in late November to investigate whether Musk had misled investors about the safety of its technology after veterinary data showed problems with implants in monkeys, including paralysis. seizures and brain swelling.

Musk wrote on social media on September 10 that “not a single monkey has died as a result of Neuralink implants.” He added that the company chose “terminal” monkeys to minimize the risk to the healthy.