Neuralink implants brain chip in first human

The founder of brain-chip startup Neuralink, Elon Musk, announced that the first human patient who received an implant from the company is recovering well.

Initial results show promising neuron spike detection," Musk said in a post on the social media platform X on Monday.
Neuron spikes refer to the activity of neurons, which are cells that transmit information through electrical and chemical signals in the brain and body, as described by the National Institute of Health.

Last year, the US Food and Drug Administration granted clearance to Neuralink to conduct its first trial on humans, marking a significant milestone for the startup's mission to assist patients in overcoming paralysis and various neurological conditions.
In September, Neuralink also received approval for recruiting participants for the human trial.

Neuralink has announced that it is utilizing a robot to precisely implant a brain-computer interface (BCI) in a specific area of the brain responsible for controlling movement intentions. The primary objective of this endeavor is to empower individuals to control a computer cursor or keyboard solely through their thoughts, as stated by Neuralink.

The implant incorporates "ultra-fine" threads that aid in transmitting signals within the participants' brains.

Elon Musk, the CEO of Neuralink, revealed that the initial product to be released by the company will be called Telepathy.

Meanwhile, Neuralink's PRIME Study is currently underway to assess the safety of the wireless brain-computer interface and the surgical robot. Despite a request for additional information from Reuters, Neuralink has not yet responded. The company has faced scrutiny regarding its safety protocols, with reports of fines for violating transportation regulations.

Musk wrote in a social media post on Sept 10 that "no monkey has died as a result of a Neuralink implant." He added that the company chose "terminal" monkeys to minimise risk to healthy ones.