February 5, 2024

What does Elon Musk's Neuralink brain chip, currently undergoing human trials, entail?

One year after receiving clearance for testing, billionaire Elon Musk's Neuralink has successfully implanted its wireless brain chip into a human for the first time.
According to Musk, the patient underwent the implant procedure last Sunday and is currently in the recovery phase. The purpose of the device spans various applications, ranging from restoring motor functions in individuals to facilitating brain-computer interfaces. While Musk's statements have not been independently verified, Neuralink has not provided extensive details.
Musk has positioned Neuralink as the forefront of technological and medical advancement, although concerns regarding ethics have surfaced regarding the chip and its testing procedures.
Here is an overview of Neuralink and its human trials.

What exactly is Neuralink, and what are its functions?
Neuralink, established by Musk in 2016, is a startup focused on brain-chip technology.
The device, about the size of a coin, is implanted surgically into the skull, with thin wires extending into the brain to establish a brain-computer interface (BCI).
This disk is designed to capture brain activity and transmit it to a device like a smartphone via Bluetooth connectivity.
The first product, named Telepathy, aims to empower individuals to control their phones or computers simply by thought, according to Musk. Additionally, by implanting the chip in the region of the brain responsible for motor function, Neuralink aims to assist individuals in overcoming neurological disorders.
Musk indicated that the initial users would be those who have lost the use of their limbs.

What does the human trial phase of Neuralink entail?
The human trial phase aims to gather data regarding safety and efficacy, with the goal of enhancing the device's performance.
During an interview on X, Musk mentioned that the "preliminary findings indicate promising detection of neuron spikes." This implies that neurons are transmitting electrical and chemical signals throughout the body, facilitating various essential functions such as eating and speaking.
Initially, when Neuralink began seeking participants for its trials in September, it targeted individuals with spinal cord diseases, which are integral to the nervous system.
In May 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration sanctioned human trials despite ongoing federal investigations into the safety of Neuralink's animal trials.


What experiments has Neuralink conducted previously?
Neuralink has trialed its chip on monkeys and pigs. The company demonstrated monkeys engaging in basic video games or controlling a cursor on a screen using their Neuralink implants.
While Neuralink asserts that no monkeys perished due to their implants, there have been accounts of complications with the implants on monkeys, such as paralysis, seizures, and brain swelling.

Are there any other companies engaged in similar endeavors?
According to an online repository of active clinical trials in the US, approximately 40 trials focusing on brain-computer interfaces are currently ongoing.
In July 2022, Synchron, a company based in Australia, successfully implanted its device in a patient in the United States. Notably, Synchron's implantation procedure does not necessitate any incisions into the skull for installation.
While some trials concentrate solely on medical applications, Musk's company seeks to surpass those boundaries by aiming to empower individuals to control their smartphones and devices through brain-computer interfaces.

What ethical considerations surround Neuralink?
Experts have voiced reservations regarding the experimentation of Neuralink's brain chip on animals, as well as potential risks linked to brain surgery, including brain hemorrhage or seizures.
They also highlight concerns over privacy and surveillance stemming from Musk's vision of implants. Limited information has been provided regarding users' ability to maintain control over their personal data and neural activity.
Earlier this year, the US Department of Transportation penalized Neuralink for neglecting to register itself as a transporter of hazardous material — specifically, implants extracted from the brains of primates — as per records reviewed by Reuters from the federal agency.