Individuals required for a brain-implant trial by Musk’s company, Neuralink

The company is aiming to establish a connection between the human brain and computers, focusing on testing this technology on individuals dealing with paralysis. Their objective is to enable these individuals to control a computer cursor or engage in typing using their thoughts alone. However, competitors have already succeeded in implanting Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) devices in humans. In a significant milestone, Neuralink obtained approval from the FDA for its first human trial, overcoming prior challenges in gaining approval. The approval was seen as a crucial first step that paved the way for their technology to potentially assist many people, as Neuralink stated at that time.

In their pursuit of approval, the company sought permission to implant their devices in ten individuals, according to information shared by former and current employees. The exact agreed-upon number of participants remains undisclosed. The commencement of a six-year study involves the surgical placement of 64 flexible threads, finer than a human hair, by a robot into a specific brain region associated with “movement intention,” as explained by the company. These threads facilitate Neuralink’s experimental N1 implant, which is powered by a wirelessly chargeable battery. The N1 implant records and transmits brain signals wirelessly to an app, decoding the individual’s intended movements.

The eligibility of individuals for the trial is that the patients must have quadriplegia amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a condition characterized by the degeneration of nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain. Although Elon Musk’s involvement elevates Neuralink’s visibility, the company faces competition from rivals, some of whom have a track record dating back almost two decades. For instance, Blackrock Neurotech implanted its first BCI in 2004, while Precision Neuroscience also aims to aid individuals with paralysis. Their implant resembles a thin piece of tape on the brain’s surface, with a relatively simpler implantation procedure involving a “cranial micro-slit.”

In the meantime, existing devices have been yielding promising results. Recent scientific studies in the United States utilized implants to monitor brain activity during speech attempts, subsequently decoding this activity to assist individuals in communication. Dr. Adrien Rapeaux, acknowledged Neuralink’s advantage in implantation due to their robotically assisted procedure. However, he pointed out uncertainties regarding the efficacy of their method for translating brain signals into practical actions compared to approaches employed by competitors like Blackrock Neurotech, especially concerning long-term accuracy and reliability, a recognized challenge within the field.