Musk's Neuralink to begin trial human brain implants

Robert Besser
31 May 2023, 21:30 GMT+10

Brain implant company Neuralink announced that it has received approval from US regulators to begin human brain implant trials
The company, owned by Elon Musk, who also owns Twitter, Tesla and SpaceX, made the announcement on Twitter
Neuralink is one of many groups that aims to develop technology that will help treat brain disorders, overcome brain injuries and related applications, though linking the nervous system to computers

FREMONT, California: Brain implant company Neuralink announced that it has received approval from US regulators to begin human brain implant trials.

The company, owned by Elon Musk, who also owns Twitter, Tesla and SpaceX, made the announcement on Twitter.

Neuralink is one of many groups that aims to develop technology that will help treat brain disorders, overcome brain injuries and related applications, though linking the nervous system to computers.

Earlier this week, scientists in Switzerland published research in the journal Nature about an implant that restores communication between the brain and spinal cord, which enabled a paralyzed man to stand and walk.

The website, clinicaltrials.gov., said there are more than 30 brain or spine computer interface trials currently in progress.

In December, Musk said his team asked regulators to allow them to test the Neuralink device, which is about the size of a large coin and is implanted in the skull with ultra-thin wires, who go directly into the brain.

The first two human trials would attempt to restore vision and help people with limited motor functions, Musk said, adding he envisions that signals from the brain could be bridged to Neuralink devices in the spinal cord for sufferers of broken necks.

However, Rajesh Rao, co-director of the Center for Neurotechnology at the University of Washington, said Neuralink is not ahead of other teams, in terms of brain-computer interface achievements, but is "quite ahead" in terms of hardware.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Kuala Lumpur Times.

More Information

30 ℃

Fair in Subang

International

Section

96-year-old US judge barred from hearing cases for mental incompetence

Washington, D.C.: This week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit suspended 96-year-old Judge Pauline Newman from hearing ...

Former US congressman jailed for 22 months in insider trading case

NEW YORK: On Tuesday, former U.S. Congressman Stephen Buyer was sentenced to 22 months in prison for trading on inside ...

West Point sued for admission policy by US anti-affirmative action group

NEW YORK: This week, the Virginia-based Students for Fair Admissions, founded by affirmative action opponent Edward Blum, sued the U.S. ...

UK firm sold parts to jet engine maker with forged paperwork

LONDON, U.K.: Jet engine maker CFM International said this week that thousands of engine components may have been sold with ...

Amid tensions, ASEAN launches first joint military drills in Indonesia

BATAM, Indonesia: Due to mounting geopolitical tensions and protests against China's activities in the South China Sea, ASEAN member nations ...

Musk's Neuralink to implant chip in brain of paralysis patients

FREMONT, California: This week, brain-chip startup Neuralink, owned by billionaire Tesla CEO Elon Musk, said an independent review board granted ...

Asia

Section