technology

Neuralink Gains Approval for Groundbreaking Brain Chip Trial

Date: September 20, 2023 Pooja Sharma Pooja Sharma
Neuralink Gains Approval for Groundbreaking Brain Chip Trial 
Neuralink, the brain implant company founded by billionaire Elon Musk, reportedly announced significant progress in its pursuit of advancing brain-computer interfaces. On Tuesday, the company disclosed that it had gained approval from both an independent review board and a hospital to commence its inaugural in-human clinical trial.



The groundbreaking trial revolves around a brain-implanted chip designed to facilitate control of movement and the company is actively seeking volunteers to participate in this pioneering endeavor.



Notably, the company's valuation has seen a remarkable upswing, currently standing at a staggering $5 billion, a noteworthy increase from its estimated worth of approximately $2 billion just two years ago. This rapid growth underscores the substantial interest and investment surrounding Neuralink's endeavors.



Under the moniker "Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface" (PRIME), Neuralink's research study aims to develop a fully implantable, wireless brain-computer interface. Such technology could potentially empower individuals with paralysis to operate devices using their thoughts as commands. The Food and Drug Administration granted approval for this study in May, following prior testing on animals.



Neuralink is actively recruiting participants for the trial, specifically seeking individuals afflicted by quadriplegia resulting from cervical spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Eligible participants must be at least 22 years old and have a dependable caregiver to join the trial, which primarily assesses the safety of the implanted chip.



As per the reports, the study's timeline is projected to span approximately six years. Participants will engage in nine at-home and in-person visits during the initial 18 months, followed by 20 visits spread across the subsequent five years for further assessment. Throughout the study's duration, participants will also engage in bi-weekly research sessions.



During the trial, a robotic system will surgically insert the implant's "ultra-fine and flexible threads" into the brain. This implant is designed to wirelessly record and transmit brain signals to an accompanying app, effectively decoding the user's intentions regarding movement.



Industry experts cite that the project is a technological leap that holds immense promise for individuals with mobility challenges.



Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/mollybohannon/2023/09/19/elon-musks-neuralink-wants-volunteers-for-first-human-trial-of-its-brain-implant-chip/?sh=61cc7e186aee

About the author

View All Posts

Pooja Sharma

Pursuing her professional career as a content writer for over two years now, Pooja Sharma is endowed with a post-graduate degree in English Literature. The articles that she writes are a balanced blend of her ever-growing love of language and the technical expertise that she has gained over the years. Currently Pooja pens insightful articles for Newsorigins and numerous other websites, covering subjects such as business, finance, and technology.