Neuralink, Elon Musk's brain-computer interface (BCI) startup, has received approval from Health Canada to commence recruitment for its first clinical trial in the country. This approval marks a significant milestone for Neuralink in its mission to develop technology that enables individuals with paralysis to control external devices using only their thoughts.
The Canadian trial, as outlined in Neuralink's statement on November 20, will focus on evaluating the safety and initial functionality of its implant for people with quadriplegia—the paralysis of all four limbs. The implant is designed to restore autonomy by enabling users to control digital devices through thought alone.
Canada's University Health Network hospital announced that its Toronto facility has been selected to perform the complex neurosurgical procedures required for the implant.
Mirroring U.S. Trials
The Canadian trial mirrors Neuralink's efforts in the U.S., where the company has already implanted the device in two patients as part of its Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface Study. This study aims to assess the safety and functionality of Neuralink's BCI technology for individuals with severe motor impairments.
Neuralink initiated its first human clinical trial in January 2024, implanting a BCI device in a patient named Noland Arbaugh. Initial results showed promising neuron spike detection.
By August 2024, the company reported that its second participant, referred to as "Alex," had received his Neuralink implant. Alex has been improving his ability to play video games and has started learning how to use computer-aided design software to work on 3D objects.
Neuralink's Development History
Since initiating animal trials in 2017, Neuralink has conducted experiments on monkeys, pigs, sheep, rats, and mice. Early studies at the University of California, Davis, focused on developing and refining BCI technology. By 2019, Neuralink advanced to implanting devices in rats, demonstrating a system capable of reading information via 1,500 electrodes. In 2020, the company showcased a pig named Gertrude with an implanted device, highlighting significant progress in its research.
Ethical Considerations
Neuralink's journey has not been without controversy. Reports indicate that approximately 1,500 animals have died following experiments since 2018, including more than 280 sheep, pigs, and monkeys. This figure encompasses all animals involved in testing, not solely those implanted with devices. The total number of animals that received implants remains unspecified.
