MUSK'S NEURALINK WILL BEGIN TESTING A BRAIN IMPLANT ON PEOPLE WITH PARALYSIS

Neuralink, a brain-chip startup founded by billionaire businessman Elon Musk, announced on Tuesday that it has been given the go-ahead to start recruiting for the first human trial of its brain implant for paralysis patients.

It stated that those with paralysis brought on by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or cervical spinal cord damage may be eligible for the study, but it did not specify how many people will sign up for the trial, which will last for around six years.

Neuralink stated that the study's primary objective is to allow people to control a computer cursor or keyboard using only their thoughts. To achieve this, a brain-computer interface (BCI) implant will be surgically implanted in a part of the brain that regulates the intention to move.

According to current and former employees, the business was negotiating a lower patient count with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after the agency expressed safety concerns.

The company had previously intended to get approval to implant its device in 10 patients. It is unknown how many people the FDA finally approved.

Musk claims that Neuralink would enable quick surgical insertions of its chip devices to cure illnesses like obesity, autism, depression, and schizophrenia. Musk has high hopes for Neuralink.

The business announced in May during a time when it was already being investigated by the government for its conduct of animal testing that the FDA had given its first-in-human clinical trial the go-ahead.

Experts predict that it could take the startup more than ten years to obtain commercial use permission for the BCI device, even if it turns out to be safe for human usage.