Elon Musk’s Neuralink is all set to start its first human-based trial of the brain-chip that will enable paralysis patients to control movements through their thoughts.
Neuralink, a brain-chip startup of the billionaire entrepreneur, has said that an independent review board has given approval to commence the recruitment for the first human trial of its brain implant for paralysis patients.
People who have been paralysed due to cervical spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis may qualify for the recruitment. However, the number of enrollments of participants has not been revealed yet. This clinical trial can span approximately over six years. This will pave the way for an extensive understanding about the safety and efficacy of the implant.
A brain computer interface will be surgically placed in a region of the brain that controls movement. This surgery during the study will be performed by a robot. Musk’s Neuralink reportedly said that the immediate and initial aim of this implantation is to enable the experiment subjects to control movements using their thoughts alone.
The US Food and Drug Administration had raised safety concerns which had put the company in a state of negotiation for approval to implant its device in 10 patients, reports said. However, the number of patients approved by the FDA is not yet known.
Musk has been highly ambitious for his brain-chip startup, Neuralink. He believes that this experiment can facilitate speedy surgical insertions of the chip devices to treat conditions like obesity, autism, depression and schizophrenia.
The company was already under federal scrutiny for its handling of animal testing when FDA gave clearance for Neuralink’s first-in-human clinical trial in May.
According to experts, the startup would take more than a decade to obtain clearance for commercial use even if the BCI device proves it to be safe for human use.
