Elon Musk’s Neuralink has received FDA approval to conduct a clinical trial that will involve implanting the chips in a small group of people with severe paralysis.
Elon Musk’s Neuralink company has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to conduct its first human clinical trial. The trial will consist of implanting brain chips in a small group of people with severe paralysis. These chips are designed to help people with paralysis control external devices using only their thoughts.
Neuralink was founded in 2016 by Musk and a group of engineers and scientists. The company’s goal is to develop brain-computer interfaces that can be used to treat a wide range of neurological conditions, including paralysis, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
FDA approval is a major milestone for Neuralink. The company has been working on its brain chips for several years, and the approval means it can now start testing them in humans. The trial will take place at the University of California, San Francisco, and will involve implanting the chips in a small group of people with severe paralysis.
We are excited to share that we have received the FDA’s approval to launch our first-in-human clinical study!
The chips are designed to be implanted in the brain’s motor cortex, which is responsible for controlling movement. The chips will contain thousands of electrodes that can record and stimulate neural activity. The electrodes will be connected to a small computer that will be implanted in the person’s chest.
The computer will be able to translate neural activity into commands that can be used to control external devices. For example, the person could use her thoughts to control a robotic arm or a computer cursor.
The trial is expected to last several years. If the trial is successful, Neuralink could begin marketing its brain chips to the general public in the next few years.