Neuralink Looks At Clinical Trials With Three Patients To Test Brain-Chip Technology

Elon Musk’s brain-chip company Neuralink is looking to enroll three patients in a pioneering clinical trial to evaluate its brain-computer interface (BCI) device. 

Detailed on the US government’s clinical trials database, the study is expected to span several years. Neuralink’s device is designed to enable paralysed individuals to control digital devices with their thoughts, offering a revolutionary solution for those with severe mobility impairments.

Originally, Neuralink had sought to enroll ten patients when it applied to US regulators for trial approval. The participants, aged 22 to 75, will include individuals with quadriplegia or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) who have experienced limited mobility for at least a year and have a life expectancy of at least 12 months. These patients must have minimal or no movement in their hands, wrists and arms due to their conditions.

The primary completion date for the study is projected for 2026, with the full study expected to conclude by 2031. Using a robotic system, Neuralink’s device will be surgically implanted in a region of the brain that controls movement intention. The company has already seen success with its first patient, Noland Arbaugh, who has been paralysed from the shoulders down since a 2016 diving accident. The implant has enabled Arbaugh to perform tasks such as playing video games and browsing the internet through thought alone.

Neuralink initially faced criticism for not sharing study details, a standard practice to build public trust and honor participant contributions. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which approved the trial, generally supports the publication of such information. Although early feasibility studies like Neuralink’s are exempt from listing on the US National Institutes of Health's ClinicalTrials.gov website, this transparency is often required by major medical journals.

(Inputs from Reuters)