Canadian neurosurgeons, with support from Elon Musk’s Neuralink, have received approval to recruit six paralyzed patients for testing a device with a thousand electrodes implanted in the brain.
The trial, called CAN-PRIME, aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a technology that enables controlling a cursor with thought. Neuralink’s system has already been implanted in two patients in the U.S. Now, surgeons from Toronto’s University Health Network, led by Andres Lozano, plan to conduct surgeries and monitor participants. A robot will implant 64 electrodes into brain regions controlling hand movements. Patients with severe quadriplegia caused by spinal cord injuries or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis will be eligible to use the technology to control devices through thought.
Neuralink developed the electrodes, the implantation system, and will handle signal processing. The medical team is responsible for selecting participants, performing surgeries, and monitoring their health. However, the procedure carries risks such as brain bleeds, infections, and equipment malfunctions.
According to Lozano, brain activity-reading technologies could eventually expand to transmitting information, such as helping visually impaired individuals. However, safeguards must be implemented to prevent potential misuse, including system hacking.
