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 contestant, Erwin Paminiano, was stumped by the Bonus Round puzzle, but took the loss in stride.
1 hour ago
The host put his arm around the player, Daryl, and said he was 'shocked' when he got the correct answer.
2 hours ago
Once again, Ken Jennings proved that players can have a lot of fun on the serious game show.
23 hours ago
While Harvey was expecting to hear some funny responses, the ladies blew his mind with their powerful answers.
1 day ago
The player, Clint Ingalls' disastrous choice of letters gave him no chance in the end.
1 day ago
The show's expert, Alan Fausel, was astonished by the fabulous Richard Cosway drawing.
2 days ago
The high school teacher could barely contain her excitement after cracking the Bonus Round puzzle.
2 days ago
The founders of Vade Nutrition couldn't the refuse the offer from Mark Cuban and Alex Rodriguez.
2 days ago
The creator claimed that the Costco avocado didn't feel or taste real, especially when compared to a ripe, organic one.
3 days ago
The player, Kenneth Blount-Hames, was stumped by a simple, everyday phrase in the final round.
3 days ago
The painting had been with the guest for 30 years, and she was curious about it.
4 days ago
It was hard for Harvey to digest what he was hearing from the senior players.
4 days ago
The best friends, Hanna Chung and Laura Tarpley, got tricked by just one word in the end.
4 days ago
The player, Shannon Hunt got the host excited before missing the puzzle by a few letters.
5 days ago
The founder of Hairfin managed to make it through the heckling to get a deal.
5 days ago
The player, Jeff Richardson put up a stunning performance to drive home a new car.
5 days ago
Since Kevin O'Leary made the offer just to mess with Corcoran, the deal hit the Shark where it hurts.
6 days ago
Harrison chose to pass on the most important item of the collection for a strange reason.
6 days ago
The contestant, Alexa Kalanz was doing well throughout the game despite a rough start.
6 days ago
Despite having just 25% ownership of her company, Meagan Bowman managed to bag a $400,000 deal.
7 days ago