Neuralink, the brain-computer interface firm based by Elon Musk, has opened its affected person registry to candidates worldwide, bringing its mind-controlled expertise to extra individuals with extreme disabilities.
In a publish on X (previously Twitter) on Wednesday, Neuralink stated the purposes have been open to these with quadriplegia, no matter location.
“You probably have quadriplegia and are inquisitive about exploring groundbreaking methods to manage a pc utilizing your ideas, now you can enroll from anyplace on the earth,” Neuralink wrote on X.
going international! 🌏
please refer sufferers with paralysis (who could profit from
BCI expertise) to be thought of for inclusion in our scientific
trials @neuralink https://t.co/BkZd9W9CdL— Dr. Jordan Amadio (@AmadioMD) April 2, 2025
The U.S. Meals and Drug Administration allowed the neuroscience firm to carry out human testing in September 2023, however to this point, solely three individuals have been permitted by Neuralink for a brain-computer implant.
In accordance with the questionnaire on the Neuralink web site candidates should be a minimum of 18 years outdated and have one of many following circumstances: quadriplegia (paralysis affecting all 4 limbs), paraplegia (paralysis of the decrease physique), visible impairment or blindness (partial or complete imaginative and prescient loss), or a speech impairment that impacts the flexibility to talk or be understood.
Candidates are additionally requested whether or not they have recognized allergy symptoms to steel or distinction dye, whether or not they’re fluent in English, whether or not they have medical insurance coverage, and what their organic intercourse is.
In its brochure, Neuralink stated it gained’t settle for people who have already got implanted gadgets akin to a pacemaker or deep mind stimulator, have a historical past of seizures, require MRIs for an ongoing medical situation, or obtain transcranial magnetic stimulation remedy.
Check topics can be compensated for study-related prices like journey bills.
Launched by Musk in 2016, Neuralink was based to develop brain-computer interface expertise to deal with neurological issues and, in the long run, to create a direct interface between people and synthetic intelligence.
Throughout Tesla’s March all-hands assembly, Musk hinted at a future by which the road between human and machine could blur even additional.
“Long run, we may even have enhancement of people—optionally, if someone desires to have cybernetic enhancements with Neuralink. If you wish to go cybernetic and have superintelligence and see in several wavelengths, we might completely present superhuman skills by way of Neuralink sooner or later,” Musk, who’s CEO of the corporate, stated. “One factor is for positive: the longer term goes to be very fascinating.”
.@elonmusk: “Long run we may even have enhancement of people … If someone desires to have cybernetic enhancements … we might completely present superhuman skills by way of Neuralink sooner or later.” pic.twitter.com/A42LHCGrOS
— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) March 21, 2025
In Could 2024, Musk introduced on X that Neuralink was searching for a second participant for its brain-computer interface human trials. He described the expertise as a “telepathy cybernetic mind implant that permits you to management your telephone and pc simply by considering.”
Neuralink known as 2024 “A Yr of Telepathy” and launched three examine individuals: two unnamed individuals and Noland Arbaugh, a quadriplegic man from Arizona who had change into the primary human take a look at topic of Neuralink’s brain-computer interface in January 2024.
Whereas brain-computer interface expertise has improved the flexibility of individuals with disabilities to speak and work together with the world, it has not been with out controversy.
In accordance with a 2022 report by Reuters, over 1,500 animals have died in Neuralink’s brain-computer interface trials.
Edited by Sebastian Sinclair and Josh Quittner
