Neuralink gets FDA approval for brain chip implant in 2nd patient

Neuralink, the brainchild of billionaire Elon Musk, received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to implant its brain chip in a second person following issues with the first trial, reports the Wall Street Journal.

First patient’s journey
The company’s first trial patient, Noland Arbaugh, recently revealed that only 15% of the 64 tiny wires connected to his brain worked a month after the implant. He experienced challenges when the hairlike threads in the device loosened, impairing signal transmission.

To prevent it from happening again, the next candidate will have the wires inserted 8 millimeters into the brain’s motor cortex, compared to the 3 to 5 millimeters planted for Arbaugh.

More than 1,000 quadriplegics have reportedly signed up for Neuralink’s brain chip so far, but only less than 100 would qualify. The company aims to treat 10 people this year.

Meanwhile, rival company Synchron is preparing for a large-scale trial, and Mass General Brigham is collaborating with the FDA to expedite similar device developments.