Musk's Neuralink receives FDA approval for human brain implant study

Neuralink, a company specializing in brain-implant technology, has announced that it has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its first-in-human clinical trial.

This marks a significant milestone for Neuralink, following previous challenges in obtaining regulatory clearance.

In a tweet, Neuralink expressed that the FDA approval is a crucial initial step towards utilizing their technology to help a wide range of individuals. While specific details about the study were not disclosed, the company mentioned that it is not yet recruiting participants and more information will be made available soon.

Elon Musk believes that brain implants developed by Neuralink could potentially address various conditions, including obesity, autism, depression, schizophrenia, as well as enable capabilities such as web browsing and telepathy. Last year Musk expressed confidence in the safety of the devices, stating that he would be willing to implant them in his own children.

Despite previous predictions that human trials would begin in 2019, Neuralink has run into difficulties in obtaining FDA approval. According to its employees, the agency raised concerns regarding the lithium battery of the implant, potential migration of the implant's wires within the brain, and the safe removal of the device without causing damage to brain.