Lakhipuronline Digital Desk : Elon Musk’s Neuralink has successfully implanted its first chip in a human brain. This is a significant milestone for the brain-science startup. The recipient of the implant is said to be recovering well, and initial results show promising neuron spike detection, indicating the device’s ability to detect brain cells’ electrical activity.
The Neuralink device consists of a chip and electrode arrays that are inserted into the cerebral cortex using a surgical robot. These electrodes are designed to register thoughts related to motion. In the future, an app will be able to translate these signals, allowing computer control through thought. Elon Musk envisions a world where individuals can communicate and interact with technology faster and more efficiently.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration had approved human clinical trials for Neuralink in May 2023. The company also opened enrollment in its first study for people with quadriplegia last September. While this announcement did not come as a surprise to neuroscientists, it highlights the progress Neuralink has made in realizing its goals.
Neuralink’s original ambitions included merging human brains with artificial intelligence. However, their immediate focus is on developing devices similar to neural keyboards that can assist people with paralysis in operating computers. It is important to note that Neuralink’s pursuit of these goals has raised concerns, leading to federal investigations into animal studies and transportation of hazardous material.
Elon Musk is known for making grand claims without providing many details. In this case, there is limited information available about the recipient of the implant or their medical condition. The success of the implant can vary depending on the patient’s specific disease or disorder.
To gain further insight into Neuralink’s latest achievement and its potential for accomplishing Musk’s ambitious goals, Scientific American spoke with John Donoghue, an expert in brain-computer interfaces at Brown University.
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