Elon Musk’s startup for brain-computer interfaces (BCI) to begin its first human trial, Neuralink has started to recruit participants. The company disclosed that they have received complete approval from an independent review board to choose their initial patient group for clinical trials, which is now knowns as PRIME study (Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface). It is expected that first human trial will take up to 6 years to complete and verify their findings. So here let’s take a look what and how they are going to do it, as well as what benefits and complications this invention can bring us.
WHO CAN SIGN IN FOR IT?
For those who are interested in finding out if they might be eligible for the study, Neuralink has established a patient registry. Neuralink states in a brochure on its website that it is seeking participants who are at least 22 years old and have quadriplegia, or paralysis in all four limbs, as a result of either amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or cervical spinal cord injury. For individuals selected for participation, the study will comprise nine in-person and at-home clinic visits spread over a period of eighteen months.
HOW DOES NEURALINK WORK?
The implant will be surgically inserted into the brain region that governs movement intention during the study. Our nervous system’s electrical and chemical signals ignite when neurons connect with one another through synapses, which are openings between nerve cells. Electrodes, or voltage-detecting sensors, record this brain activity by measuring the shift in “spikes” that occur when these voltages fire (or potentially fire). Put differently, our brain activity is recorded not only when we act but also when we merely consider acting. That being said, mind reading is not the same as the brain-computer interface performed by Neuralink. Baberwal likened this procedure to how blood pressure interprets a patient’s level of stress or relaxation. The hospital that has received approval from the institutional review board, the precise area of the brain in which the device will be implanted, and the final number of participants in the study have all been kept a secret by the company.
WHAT BENEFITS DOES IT BRING?
- Restore mobility: Exoskeletons and prostheses can be operated by brain-computer interfaces. People who are paralyzed or have had amputations could regain some degree of mobility and independence thanks to this use case.
- Improve communication: The primary goal of Neuralink is to facilitate communication between individuals who are unable to write or speak by giving them the ability to use a virtual keyboard and mouse or send messages with their thoughts. For instance, a person with paraplegia could use text synthesis or speech recognition to control a computer or mobile device, browse the internet, and create digital art.
- Treat neurological conditions: Brain-computer interfaces can monitor brain activity and identify changes that could be indicative of neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, epilepsy, or Alzheimer’s. They can also be used to track symptoms related to mental health. Unlike motor skills, which are localized to one area, burnout, fatigue, anxiety, and depression are spread throughout the brain and could be treated with targeted electrical stimulation.
WHAT PROBLEMS CAN IT CREATE?
- High risk of brain infection: The possibility that Neuralink could harm brain tissue is one of the primary worries. The sensitivity of the human brain means that even a minor injury can result in permanent harm or even death. An increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease in later life may arise from improper placement of Neuralink, which can cause infections and inflammation in the brain.
- There has been little research on long-term effects of BCIs: Some effects may be positive, but others negative and dangerous. So far there has not been a lot of research conducted on long term implications of BCIs (Brain Computer Interfaces) on humans. This mean that it is impossible to know what the full extent of these side effects might be.
- Difficulty in removing or repairing BCI when they fail: The possibility exists that the BCIs may malfunction at some point and that there won’t be a fix for it. The implantation of electrodes into brain tissue may result in damage to the brain. Additionally, the implants may leave scars surrounding the implantation site, which, if left untreated, may result in additional health issues like seizures or paralysis.
MORAL DILEMMA
Employees claimed that the death rate had surpassed what would be deemed normal. Elon Musk’s demands for speedy research have resulted in an alarming rate of errors and unsuccessful procedures. Some former employees have gone so far as to call certain experiments “hack jobs,” citing incidents such as the missing of devices in multiple test pigs and the unintentional implantation of Neuralink’s device into the incorrect vertebra, which resulted in the animals’ extreme pain and suffering and their eventual euthanasia. In addition, the majority of the company’s founders—including eminent scientists in the field of brain-computer interface—left, leaving Neuralink with just two of its eight original members—among them Elon Musk—as of last year.
CONCLUSION
Among the many advantages of this technology is its ability to help paraplegics regain mobility by means of robotic prosthetics that are controlled by electrical signals transmitted from their brains. Even though the project is just getting started, investors and potential clients have already expressed a great deal of interest in it. Neuralink’s technology has the potential to significantly change society and our lives if it is successful in developing it. However, before any implementation occurs, it is imperative to thoroughly evaluate the numerous risks connected to this project.
Sources:
https://builtin.com/hardware/what-is-neuralink
https://www.wired.com/story/everything-we-know-about-neuralinks-brain-implant-trial/
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-66865895
https://www.reuters.com/technology/musks-neuralink-start-human-trials-brain-implant-2023-09-19/
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