Neuralink, a medical startup led by Elon Musk, recently made headlines by successfully implanting its first brain chip in a human. The company aims to explore the potential of the brain chip in controlling external devices through thought, which could greatly benefit individuals with paralysis. Having received FDA approval for human clinical trials, Neuralink is primarily focused on studying the safety and functionality of its chip.
The trial participants chosen by Neuralink are typically individuals who lack motor function due to conditions such as quadriplegia, spinal cord injuries, or ALS. While the specifics of how well the chip is functioning in the first implanted patient are still unknown, previous trials involving primates have shown promising results. Monkeys were able to move a cursor using the chip, and now the company is eager to observe if humans can achieve similar outcomes.
