Neuralink to do trials for brain implants in human post FDA approval

Neuralink Corp., a Elon Musk founded neurotechnology company, has reportedly obtained clearance from the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to proceed with its first clinical study involving humans.

The approval is a significant leap forward for the company’s revolutionary technology.

While the recruitment for the clinical trial is not yet started, the firm aims to enable direct brain-computer communication. Elon Musk previously described the implantable Neuralink device as a means for individuals to interact with computers using their minds.

Notably, the company has made substantial progress, as evidenced by successful implantation tests on monkeys, where the animals could play video games and move cursors through the Neuralink interface.

The potential applications of Neuralink's technology are vast. Musk envisions the restoration of lost capabilities, such as vision and mobility, in individuals who have experienced impairments.

The company expressed its enthusiasm & satisfaction after receiving FDA clearance. It made the announcement through a tweet shared by Elon Musk. They expressed gratitude to the FDA and highlighted the collaborative effort between their team and the regulatory agency.

Apparently, Neuralink's ultimate objective extends beyond medical applications. Musk has expressed concerns about the potential dominance of AI and aims to improve human intellectual capabilities using brain-machine interfaces.

Given Musk's ambitious track record, the progress of Neuralink has attracted significant attention. While the initial projections for human tests in 2020 were not met, the recent FDA approval represents a substantial step towards realizing the potential of this groundbreaking technology.

It is important to note that Neuralink is not the only player in the field of brain-machine interfaces. While Synchron, a company specializing in similar systems, came to limelight at the start of this year by announcing the success in implanting the first brain-machine interface in the United States, Neuralink as well has achieved a major milestone in its mission to setup direct communication between computers and human brains.

 

Source credit: https://www.livemint.com/news/world/elon-musk-s-company-neuralink-gets-fda-nod-to-test-brain-implants-in-humans-11685066064149.html