On Tuesday, Neuralink, Elon Musk’s company, declared the successful implantation of its brain chip technology in the first patient. This achievement marks a continuation of decades of research conducted by academic labs and other companies, exploring the connection between human brains and computers to address various diseases and disabilities.
The inception of brain-computer interface technology dates back to around 2006 when the first paralyzed patient received an implant through Cyberkinetics, a company founded at Brown University. Some researchers from that early effort are now collaborating with Musk at Neuralink.
In recent years, brain-computer interfaces have demonstrated remarkable capabilities, assisting paralyzed individuals in regaining mobility, restoring touch and speech functions, and aiding those with movement disorders such as stroke, Parkinson’s, and ALS. Additionally, these interfaces have shown promise in treating brain disorders like depression, addiction, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and traumatic brain injuries.
Most of these interfaces function by writing signals into the brain through electrical stimulation, while others are designed to “read” the voltage emitted by active brain cells.
Neuralink’s device records brain activity through electrodes positioned near individual brain cells, allowing the interpretation of the person’s intended movements. The company is actively seeking volunteers with limited function in all four limbs due to conditions like ALS or spinal cord injuries for its clinical study. The procedure involves surgically placing an implant in the brain region controlling the body’s intended movement, with volunteers committing to six years of training and follow-up sessions.
However, Neuralink’s chip alone doesn’t initiate movement. For paralyzed individuals, a second intervention is necessary. Microelectrodes reading brain signals need to be connected to the spinal cord through a “digital bridge,” enabling stimulation for movement restoration.
Various companies and researchers are working on similar devices, including those that read from large populations of brain cells. This broader capability could decode silent speech, enabling individuals who cannot speak to articulate their thoughts.
While Neuralink’s recent achievement has garnered attention, experts emphasize that it’s too early to determine its full potential. Some are exploring alternative technologies, such as ultrasound, to read brain activity with less invasive methods. Devices like deep-brain stimulators, which have treated conditions like Parkinson’s and epilepsy, have evolved to listen to the brain’s signals for more precise stimulation.
Dr. Brian Lee, a functional neurosurgeon at the University of Southern California, notes that while devices like Neuralink’s have broad potential, their specific applications are yet to be fully demonstrated.
As researchers continue to explore the possibilities of neurotechnology, the field is rapidly advancing. Some envision commercially available products, like devices to restore the sense of touch for paralyzed individuals, becoming a reality in the near future. Overall, neurotech holds great promise for addressing various medical challenges and improving the lives of individuals with neurological conditions.