Neuralink to Recruit Three More Patients for New Brain Implant Study

Source: Cailianshe APP

CLS News, May 29 (Editor: Huang Junzhi)According to the detailed information published in the U.S. government’s clinical trial database, Elon Musk’s brain-computer interface company, Neuralink Corp., plans to recruit three additional patients to evaluate its implantable device in a study expected to take several years to complete.

Registration details released on Monday revealed that this “first-in-human early feasibility study” commenced in January of this year. Neuralink is currently testing its brain implant, which enables control of digital devices via neural signals, thereby helping patients with severe paralysis regain the ability to communicate with the outside world, and may potentially assist individuals with spinal cord injuries in the future.

As early as last year, media reports indicated that the company sought to recruit 10 patients when applying to U.S. regulatory authorities for approval to initiate clinical trials. It is reported that more than 1,000 patients with quadriplegia have expressed willingness to participate in Neuralink’s trial, yet fewer than 100 patients meet the eligibility criteria for this study.

Elon Musk previously stated, “Neuralink is still accepting more trial applications.” Neuralink hopes to involve different participants in order to study various behaviors. Meanwhile, the company also plans to submit applications to regulatory authorities in Canada and the United Kingdom in the coming months to conduct similar trials.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which approved the aforementioned clinical trial, stated that it generally expects companies to disclose information about their studies to enhance public trust and show respect for patients participating in the trials.

It is reported that Neuralink’s research is expected to be preliminarily completed in 2026, with full completion anticipated by 2031. The study will enroll patients aged 22 to 75 years who suffer from conditions such as quadriplegia.

According to the eligibility criteria published in the database, patients must have experienced activity limitations without improvement for at least one year and have a life expectancy of greater than or equal to 12 months. Eligible patients must have very limited or no movement of the hands, wrists, and arms due to spinal cord injury or a neurological disorder known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Neuralink, founded in 2016, aims to establish a communication channel between the human brain and external devices. This is achieved by implanting ultra-fine threads into the brain and connecting them to a custom-designed chip equipped with electrodes capable of reading information from neuronal groups. Although this technology has several decades of history, Neuralink’s innovation lies in making the implant wireless and significantly increasing the number of implanted electrodes.

Although such devices are currently primarily used in patients with paralysis, Elon Musk has stated that Neuralink’s short-term goal is to enable paralyzed individuals to type using their thoughts. In the future, the technology aims to restore walking ability to those with paralysis and vision to the blind, ultimately achieving a “human-machine symbiosis.”

He also hinted that the device might have the ability to restore vision. He pointed out, “Blindsight is the next product after telepathy.”

Responsible Editor: Yu Jian SF069