ECONOMY & WORK
MONEY 101
NEWS
PERSONAL FINANCE
NET WORTH
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use DMCA Opt-out of personalized ads
© Copyright 2023 Market Realist. Market Realist is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.
MARKETREALIST.COM / NEWS

Elon Musk Claims First Neuralink Patient Can Control a Computer Mouse With Mind

Musk stated that the patient, whose identity remains undisclosed, has exhibited no side effects thus far.
PUBLISHED FEB 21, 2024
Cover Image Source: Elon Musk speaks at the Atreju political convention | Getty Images | Photo by Antonio Masiello
Cover Image Source: Elon Musk speaks at the Atreju political convention | Getty Images | Photo by Antonio Masiello

The first human patient who was implanted with a brain chip from Neuralink appears to have recovered completely, the startup’s founder, Elon Musk, said on Monday. In a Spaces event on X, he said that the patient, whose chip was implanted in January, shows no ill effects and is moving the mouse around the screen by "just thinking." 



 

Neuralink’s current trial involved implanting a brain-computer interface in a part of the brain that controls movement. The firm began recruiting patients for its first-in-human clinical trial after it received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to conduct the study.

At the time, the firm had stated that it intended to use its technology to help those with traumatic injuries operate computers using just their thoughts. In January, the company finally implanted a chip dubbed "Link" in its first-ever candidate.



 

The study employed a robot developed by Neuralink to surgically place a brain-computer interface implant in a patient. Although the trial was conducted successfully, no further updates were shared.

"Progress is good, and the patient seems to have made a full recovery, with no ill effects that we are aware of. "We’re trying to get as many button presses as possible from thinking, so that’s what we’re currently working on," Musk recently revealed in a Spaces audio chat.



 

Neuralink's tech works through the cosmetically invisible implant. The chip comprises multiple insulated wires connected to the electrodes and the device works by recording activity from electrodes placed next to individual brain cells. The device reads out the person's intended movement and executes it on a computer.

The firm has been under scrutiny for its information-sharing policies in the scientific community. The Hastings Center, a nonpartisan research institute, published a blog post calling the firm’s policies "science by press release," referring to Neuralink's unethical approach to releasing information. Furthermore, the center believed that information on such crucial trials should only be released as formal reporting to the public.



 

"When the person paying for a human experiment with a huge financial stake in the outcome is the sole source of information, basic ethical standards have not been met," chair of the Department of Medical Ethics at the University of Pennsylvania, Arthur Caplan, wrote in the blog post.

The authors argued that even though the FDA doesn’t require formal reporting for early feasibility trials of medical devices, the surgeons, neuroscientists, and nurses who participated in the trial have a moral responsibility to provide transparency.


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Neuralink (@neura.link)


 

Neuralink was previously embroiled in controversy as it faced repeated calls for scrutiny regarding its safety protocols. The firm was reportedly fined for violating U.S. Department of Transportation rules regarding the movement of hazardous materials.

Musk, however, has grand ambitions for the firm's brain chip implants. He aims for speedy surgical insertions of their chip devices to treat conditions like obesity, autism, depression, and schizophrenia in the long run.

MORE ON MARKET REALIST
The guest was shocked to learn that his Stradivarius violin wasn't what he thought it was.
13 hours ago
The owner of the collection of Danny Lyon SNCC Civil Rights Posters was left astonished in the end.
1 day ago
After Harrison bought a signed speed bag for $250, he happened to meet the star at a dinner.
1 day ago
The contestant, Doug, had a hard time coming up with a sensible answer.
1 day ago
While Jennings performed a half-baked trick, it still managed to thoroughly entertain the fans.
2 days ago
The player, Andy Schwartz registered the first loss of a car since Seacrest took over as host.
2 days ago
The guest kept his grandparents' antique instruments under his bed for years.
2 days ago
Harris wasn't the only one who came up with an answer that shocked everyone.
2 days ago
Despite getting a high auction estimate, the owner of the Meiji Period lamp chose to keep it.
3 days ago
The player, Gabriel Berkowitz pulled off a perfect night winning over $45,000 and a car.
3 days ago
Harvey showed no mercy after he found out that Sweet Lou Dunbar didn't know how apps work.
3 days ago
The founder of Plop Star made an unforgettable entry and a sad exit from the show.
4 days ago
The host is otherwise quick to reprimand families for backing absurd answers.
4 days ago
While the Marvel comic book fetched a $50,000 appraisal, Harrison felt it was too rich for him.
4 days ago
Jimmy Alexander became the first player to lose a brand-new car on season 43 of the show.
5 days ago
The contestant, Brianne Peterson got extremely unlucky with her letter picks for the final puzzle.
5 days ago
The guest was told that the Jasper Johns Flag Print wouldn't be valuable but it was worth thousands.
5 days ago
It didn’t help that Alvin Rosales was playfully scolded by the host just before losing the Bonus Round.
6 days ago
The photos featured some looks of the show's legendary former host, Alex Trebek, as well.
6 days ago
The player, Kate Stuntz, pulled off a miraculous win to take home over $68,000 and a trip to Iceland.
6 days ago