Neuralink Halts Second Brain Chip Implant Surgery Due to Medical Issues
Neuralink, the brain-computer interface (BCI) company founded by Elon Musk, has faced a setback in its human trial stage as the planned surgery for the second implant recipient had to be canceled. Medical Issues Lead to Cancellation
A new report from Bloomberg has revealed that the candidate selected for the second BCI surgery was found to suffer from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a fatal neurodegenerative disease. This discovery led to the unfortunate decision to cancel the surgery for this particular patient. Replacement Planned
The second patient encountered unspecified medical issues that deemed them unsuitable for the trial. Neuralink has not officially addressed this cancellation or responded to inquiries from Bloomberg. However, the company has scheduled another patient for surgery next month to continue its research and development. Positive Results from First Patient
Despite this setback, Neuralink has made significant progress with its first BCI patient, Nolan Arbaugh, who recently showcased his ability to control a mouse cursor using his thoughts. Arbaugh explained that the BCI implant can monitor neural signals and translate them into cursor movements, enabling him to play video games with remarkable speed and precision. He even humorously likened his newfound skills to having an 'aimbot' in gaming. Future Prospects
While the cancellation of the second surgery may appear as a hurdle, Neuralink remains focused on advancing its groundbreaking technology to enhance the lives of individuals with neurological conditions. The company's innovative approach to merging neuroscience and technology continues to show promise in revolutionizing how we interact with computers and the world around us.