Neuralink Gains Approval for Human Trials of Brain Chip Implant

Neuralink, the brain chip project initiated by Elon Musk, the visionary behind SpaceX and Tesla Motors, has announced that it has obtained approval from an independent review board to commence the recruitment of patients for its first human trial.

In a statement issued by Neuralink, it was revealed that, following the approval granted by an independent review board, the company is now actively seeking patients to participate in clinical trials to test its brain implant technology designed for individuals suffering from paralysis.

These clinical trials will focus on patients who have experienced paralysis due to spinal cord injuries. Neuralink has not disclosed specific details regarding the location of the trials or the number of participants expected to be involved. The duration of the study is estimated to be approximately six years.

In May 2023, Neuralink announced that it had received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to commence human testing of its brain chip project. Prior to this, the company had conducted successful experiments in which brain signals were interpreted by chips and transmitted to external devices, as demonstrated in trials involving monkeys.

It is worth noting that, even if the brain implant proves to be safe and effective, it may still take more than a decade before it receives regulatory approval for commercial use, according to experts.

Since its establishment in 2016, Neuralink has been dedicated to the goal of addressing neurological disorders such as paralysis and blindness, with the ultimate aim of improving the quality of life for individuals with disabilities through the use of microchips implanted in the brain.

However, experts emphasize the need for a cautious and comprehensive approach to preliminary studies on Neuralink’s brain implants, taking into account potential technical and security considerations.