Neuralink’s Mind-Boggling Brain Chip Implant

• Neuralink’s technology is capable of recording and decoding neural signals.
• The coin-sized brain chip has neural threads that spread out to different parts of the brain.
• Neuralink brain implants could be used to treat neurological conditions.

Ever imagined controlling someone or something by just thinking? It sounds like a scene from a movie, doesn’t it? Well, it is no longer fictional, as Neuralink has made it possible.

What Is Neuralink? 

Neuralink is a technology company that builds devices designed to connect human brains directly with computers. It implanted its brain chip in the first human patient on January 28. Confirming the successful implantation, businessman and owner of Neuralink, Elon Musk, stated, “Initial results show promising neuron spike detection.” 

“[Neuralink’s technology] is capable of recording and decoding neural signals and then transmitting information back to the brain using electrical stimulation,” said Ramses Alcaide, CEO of Neurable, a neurotech company developing non-invasive brain-computer interfaces in the form of headphones. 

The Neuralink Implant Procedure

The implant, which is called “the Link,” is a coin-sized brain chip that has neural threads that spread out into different sections of a subject’s brain where the motor skills are controlled. Each wire or thread contains sensors capable of recording and emitting electrical currents, which are extremely fine and flexible, making them impossible to insert by a human hand, according to Neuralink’s website. As such, Neuralink has built a neurosurgical robot that’s designed to become fully automated.

Neuralink Mechanism 

Once inserted, the Neuralink monitors the electrical and chemical signals emitted by our nervous system. Former chief brain-computer interface scientist, Sumner Norman, stated that Neuralink works in the same way as electrophysiology, which measures the heart’s electrical system and checks for abnormal heart rhythms. 

The electrical and chemical signals within our nervous system are generated as neurons communicate across tiny gaps called synapses. This neural activity is recorded using electrodes or sensors, which detect voltage fluctuations and measure the spikes indicative of firing or the potential firing of these voltages.

How Will the Implant Recipient Benefit? 

As per Neuralink’s website, the primary objective of the company is to assist individuals incapacitated by paralysis in regaining communication abilities they have lost. In the future, Neuralink aims to further develop technologies to restore motor, sensory, and visual functions, along with treating neurological disorders.

Alcaide commented that a device similar to Neuralink holds promise for augmenting human memory, cognitive abilities, and processing speed by establishing a direct connection between the human brain and digital devices.

• Enhanced Mobility 

According to Alcaide, brain-computer interfaces could facilitate the control of prosthetics or exoskeletons. It could help individuals with paralysis or amputations regain a certain degree of mobility and independence.

• Facilitate Communication

Neuralink aims to aid individuals who are unable to speak or write by facilitating communication through the control of virtual mice and keyboards or by sending messages using their thoughts.

For instance, someone with paraplegia (paralysis that affects the legs only) would gain the ability to navigate a computer or mobile device, employing speech or text synthesis to browse the internet and create digital art.

• Treat Neurological Conditions

Since Neuralink monitors brain activity, it could be used to detect changes that may indicate neurological conditions such as epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer’s, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, stated Alcaide.

Norman pointed out that targeted electrical stimulation applied to specific brain areas could serve as a potential treatment for burnout, fatigue, anxiety, and depression. Unlike motor skills, which are localized, these conditions are dispersed throughout the brain.

“Treating or curing paralysis, neurological disorders, and injuries could make the world a substantially nicer place, where very few people have untreatable forms of depression or anxiety,” said Norman. Furthermore, he said, “Giving agency back to those who’ve lost it—that’s an undeniable benefit.”

How Safe Is Neuralink?

Last year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted clearance to the company to commence its inaugural trial, testing its implant on humans. This marked a crucial milestone in the startup’s endeavors to assist patients in overcoming paralysis and various neurological conditions. In September, Neuralink announced that it had obtained approval to recruit participants for a human trial.

What are the Risks of Neuralink?

• Brain Injury and Infection 

If the implant is not properly implanted in the human brain, it may cause damage to the brain tissue. Since the brain tissues are sensitive, it could cause long-lasting effects and even death. 

• Invasion of Privacy 

Privacy invasion is another concern associated with Neuralink, as it can access individuals’ thoughts and memories. This implies that once the chip is implanted, anyone with access to it could potentially view the person’s thoughts and recall. Furthermore, there’s a risk of governmental or corporate entities exploiting this technology to monitor people’s thoughts and behaviors covertly, without their explicit consent.

• Inability to Fix Brain Chip Implant in the Event it Breaks

When there is a failure in the brain chip implant, there could be difficulty in removing and repairing it. Damage to the brain may occur due to the insertion of electrodes into the brain tissue. The implants may also cause scarring around their implantation site, which could lead to other health problems such as seizures or paralysis if not treated properly.