Billionaire founder Elon Musk revealed on Monday that the first Neuralink brain chip was implanted successfully in a human and the initial recipient is recovering well.
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Musk shared the news on "X", stating that the implant was successfully placed on Sunday. Last year, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Neuralink clearance to commence its first human trial with the brain-chip implant.
Musk reported promising results in the early stages of the trial, highlighting the detection of neuron spikes which are indicative of activity in the brain's cells, that utilize electrical and chemical signals to transmit information within the brain and to the body, as explained by the National Institute of Health.
Neuralink's ongoing Prime study focuses on testing the safety and functionality of its wireless brain-computer interface and surgical robot. The interface aims to empower individuals with quadriplegia, allowing them to control devices using their thoughts.
Despite the positive news, Neuralink has not provided additional details in response to requests for information. Earlier this month, Reuters reported that Neuralink faced fines for violating US Department of Transportation (DoT) regulations related to the transportation of hazardous materials.
DoT investigators, during inspections in February 2023 at Neuralink's facilities in Texas and California, discovered the company's failure to register as a transporter of hazardous material. Additionally, improper packaging of hazardous waste, including the flammable liquid Xylene, was found. Xylene can lead to various health issues, such as headaches, dizziness, confusion, loss of muscle coordination, and even death, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Neuralink's achievement of FDA clearance for human trials marked a crucial milestone for the company. In June, Reuters reported that Neuralink's valuation reached as high as $5 billion based on private stock trades. The implant trial was announced by Neuralink in September, emphasizing the use of a company-developed robot to surgically insert the "ultra-fine" threads facilitating signal transmission in participants' brains.