Neuralink, the Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) company founded by Elon Musk, has opened recruitment for its first-in-human clinical trial. The trial, called the PRIME (short for Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface) Study, will evaluate the safety and functionality of Neuralink’s N1 implant, a fully implantable and wireless BCI.
The N1 implant will be surgically implanted in the brains of participants with quadriplegia due to cervical spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The implant will record and transmit brain signals wirelessly to an app that decodes movement intention. The initial goal of the trial is to enable participants to control a computer cursor or keyboard using their thoughts alone.
The PRIME Study is being conducted under the investigational device exemption (IDE) awarded by the FDA in May 2023. This is a significant milestone for Neuralink, as it brings the company one step closer to commercializing its BCI technology.
If you are interested in learning whether you may qualify for the PRIME Study or future Neuralink clinical trials, you can join the Neuralink Patient Registry.
What does this mean for the future of BCI technology?
The PRIME Study is a major milestone for the field of BCI research. Neuralink’s N1 implant is one of the most advanced BCIs ever developed, and its success in the PRIME Study could pave the way for a new generation of BCI devices that can help people with paralysis and other neurological disorders to regain their independence.
BCI technology has the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with the world around us. In addition to helping people with disabilities, BCIs could also be used to enhance human performance in a variety of ways, such as improving cognitive function, controlling prosthetic limbs, and even interacting with augmented reality and virtual reality environments.
The PRIME Study is just the beginning, but it represents a major step forward for the future of BCI technology.
