The first human patient has received an implant from brain-chip startup Neuralink on Sunday and is recovering well, Elon musk – founder, Neuralink announced via X.
“Initial results show promising neuron spike detection,” Musk said in a post on the social media platform X on Monday.
What are spikes?
Spikes are the activity of neurons or cells that use electrical and chemical signals to send information to the body and brain.
The company has received the clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last year to conduct its trial of chip implants on humans.
A big milestone in Neuralink’s ambitions to help patients overcome paralysis and chronic neurological conditions.
Neuralink got the approval for recruitment for the human trail in September last year.
Ultra-fine threads in the implant helps transmit signals in participant’s brain, the company said.
Telepathy, the name given to the first product from Neuralink, Musk said on X.
The start-up’s PRIME Study is a trial for its wireless brain-computer interface to evaluate the safety of the implant and surgical robot.
Is Neuralink safe?
The startup has faced calls for scrutiny regarding the safety parameters.
According to the sources, the company was also fined for violating U.S. Department of Transportation rules for the movement of hazardous substances.
$5 billion was the last determined value of the company, lawmakers in last November asked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate whether Musk had misled the investors about the safety of its technology.
Previous veterinary records show problems like paralysis, seizures, and brain swelling in monkeys with implants.
Musk wrote in a social media post on Sept. 10 that “no monkey has died as a result of a Neuralink implant.” He added that the company chose “terminal” monkeys to minimize risk to healthy ones.
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