Elon Musk’s Neuralink gets FDA nod to test brain implants in humans

Elon Musk’s Neuralink has announced a significant milestone in its mission to enable direct communication between brains and computers. 

The brain-machine interface company has received clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to proceed with its first in-human clinical study. This approval is seen as a crucial step forward for Neuralink's groundbreaking technology.

Neuralink expressed their excitement and satisfaction as they revealed the acquisition of FDA approval to initiate their inaugural clinical study involving human participants. This significant development was announced through a tweet posted by Neuralink, which was shared by Elon Musk. 

The company expressed its gratitude to the FDA and emphasised the collaborative effort between its team and the regulatory agency.

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While the recruitment for the clinical trial has not yet begun, Neuralink aims to facilitate direct brain-computer communication. Elon Musk had previously explained that the implantable Neuralink device would enable individuals to interact with computers using their minds. 

The company has made significant progress, as demonstrated by implantation tests conducted on monkeys, where the animals were able to play video games and manipulate cursors through the Neuralink interface.

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

The company's ultimate goal extends beyond medical applications, with Musk expressing concerns about the potential dominance of artificial intelligence and aiming to enhance human intellectual capabilities through brain-machine interfaces.

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Neuralink's progress has been closely watched, considering Musk's track record for ambitious predictions. Although initial projections for human tests in 2020 were not met, the recent FDA approval marks a significant step towards realising the potential of this groundbreaking technology.

Neuralink is not the only player in the field of brain-machine interfaces. Synchron, a company that specialises in similar systems, made headlines earlier this year by announcing the successful implantation of the first brain-machine interface in the United States.