Neuralink Launches First-in-Human Clinical Trial for N1 Brain-Computer Interface
Neuralink
Brain-Computer Interface System Developer
▎ Edited by the WuXi AppTec Content Team
Recently, Neuralink Corp announced the launch of
The first human clinical trial to evaluate the ability of its wireless brain-computer interface, named N1, to enable paralyzed patients to control peripheral devices using their thoughts.
Neuralink, founded by renowned entrepreneur Mr. Elon Musk, is dedicated to helping patients with unmet needs regain their autonomy through the development of implantable brain-computer interfaces.
The clinical trial, named PRIME, will simultaneously evaluate three of the company’s investigational products. It will utilize a robot called R1 to implant the N1 brain-computer interface into the region of the patient’s brain that controls motor intention.The N1 implant contains 64 threads finer than a human hair, with a total of 1,024 electrodes distributed across these threads. It is capable of recording electrical activity in brain regions and wirelessly transmitting the information to external devices.When combined with the brain-computer interface software named the N1 User App, paralyzed individuals are expected to use their thoughts to control external devices, such as moving a computer cursor or operating a smartphone.
Image source: Reference [2]
The company is currently recruiting patients. The inclusion criteria are patients with quadriplegia caused by spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), who are at least 22 years old and have reliable caregivers. This trial is expected to last for 6 years.
Recent studies have demonstrated the potential of brain-computer interfaces to transform patients' lives. RecentlyA research team at the University of California used a brain-computer interface to enable a patient who had been paralyzed for 18 years due to stroke to interact through a computer-generated digital avatar “Speak Up". We look forward to further clinical trials to validate the potential of this technology and benefit patients with paralysis."
