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 The UK News.

More Information

13 ℃

Partly Cloudy in Newham

International

Section

Canada's TMX expansion may triple oil flow to country's Pacific Coast

CALGARY, Canada: From early 2024, the long-delayed and controversial Canadian government-owned Trans Mountain oil pipeline expansion (TMX) is expected to ...

Pakistan's Supreme Court proceedings go live on state TV

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan's Supreme Court proceedings were broadcast live on state television on Monday, providing an unprecedented glimpse into the ...

9 teenagers caught after escaping from Pennsylvania detention center

MORGANTOWN, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania state police said that nine teenage boys who escaped from the Abraxas Academy detention center this week ...

3,000 homeless in Anchorage looking for a place to stay before winter

ANCHORAGE, Alaska: Anchorage is struggling to find housing options for more than 3,000 homeless residents, as the city's mass shelter ...

South Korean teachers seek legal defense against abusive parents

SEOUL, South Korea: Thousands of South Korean educators and school staff gathered in Seoul over the weekend to demand increased ...

Polish government bans all Russian-registered passenger cars

WARSAW, Poland: As part of European Union (EU) sanctions imposed against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, Poland banned all ...

Football

Section