Elon Musk’s Neuralink begins brain implant trials on humans

A representational image of human brain implant created with Dall-E

Brain tech company Neuralink has performed its first brain implant in humans, according to a social media post on X by founder Elon Musk.

“The first human received an implant from Neuralink yesterday and is recovering well. Initial results show promising neuron spike detection,” said Musk.

In December 2022, Neuralink announced that it was seeking US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval to begin clinical trials of its brain implants on humans.

The FDA gave its clearance in May 2023. But the company is facing a federal investigation into allegations of animal cruelty. Several employees reported that animal testing was rushed, resulting in botched surgeries and the deaths of around 1500 animals including monkeys and pigs.

During its brain implant demonstration in December 2022, Musk showed that the procedure involves making an incision in the skull and cutting the outer meningeal layer, called the dura. This threading incision was performed by a surgical robot, as it would be very difficult to do manually. Neuralink's implants use thread-based electrodes that can be placed inside the brain without the risk of damaging soft tissues.

Neuralink aims to connect human brains to computers and help them overcome complex neurological conditions.

Musk said in a separate post on X on January 30 that the first Neuralink product will be called Telepathy and it will allow humans to control their smartphone or computer, and through them almost any device, just by thinking.

He added that the “initial users will be those who have lost the use of their limbs.”

Although most existing brain chip interfaces (BCI) companies use non-invasive electrodes that are placed on top of the human skull, more and more companies in the brain tech space are working on implants that can be placed inside the human brain.

Studies have also shown that patients can regain cognitive functions through brian plants. In a groundbreaking study from October 2021, Stanford researchers implanted a tablet-sized chip into the brain of a paralyzed man. The chip allowed him to

communicate through a computer by converting his thoughts directly into text, reaching speeds of up to 18 words per minute.