Neural implants have become an increasingly popular area of research in recent years. These devices are designed to be implanted in the brain and can be used to treat a wide range of neurological conditions. One company at the forefront of this research is Neuralink, founded by Elon Musk. In this paper, we will explore the current research behind neural implants, with a particular focus on Neuralink.

What are Neural Implants?

Neural implants, also known as brain-computer interfaces, are electronic devices that are implanted directly into the brain. They are designed to interact with the neurons in the brain and can be used to treat a variety of neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and chronic pain. Neural implants work by sending electrical signals directly to the brain, which can help to restore normal function [1].

The History of Neural Implants

The development of neural implants began in the 1970s with the invention of the first neural implant. Since then, significant advancements have been made in the technology used to create these devices. Modern neural implants are much smaller and more advanced than their predecessors and have the potential to treat a wider range of conditions. Additionally, the development of wireless technology has made it possible to communicate with these devices without the need for wires [2].

Neuralink: The Future of Neural Implants

One company at the forefront of neural implant research is Neuralink, founded by Elon Musk in 2016. Neuralink is focused on developing advanced neural implants that can be used to treat a wide range of neurological conditions. In addition to medical applications, Neuralink is also exploring the potential of neural implants for human enhancement, such as improving memory or cognitive function. The company has already demonstrated its ability to implant neural probes in rats and has plans to begin human trials in the near future [3].

Current Research in Neural Implants

Research in neural implants is currently advancing rapidly, and a number of exciting developments have emerged. One area of research is the development of neural implants to treat chronic pain. For example, a recent study conducted at Stanford University found that a spinal cord implant designed to deliver electrical signals directly to the spinal cord was able to provide significant pain relief in individuals with chronic pain [4].

Another area of research is the use of neural implants to restore motor function in individuals with paralysis. Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have successfully implanted neural probes in the brains of monkeys, allowing them to control a robotic arm using only their thoughts [5]. Similarly, researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology have developed a neural implant that has allowed a paralyzed man to control a robotic arm using his thoughts [6].

In addition to medical applications, researchers are also exploring the potential of neural implants for human enhancement. For example, researchers at the University of Southern California have developed a neural implant that is capable of improving memory function in individuals with epilepsy [7]. Similarly, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a neural implant that can be used to enhance cognitive function in monkeys [8].

Potential Risks and Concerns While the benefits of neural implants are clear, there are also potential risks and concerns associated with their use. For example, there is the risk of infection or rejection of the implant, as well as concerns about the long-term effects of having an electronic device implanted in the brain. Additionally, there are ethical concerns about the use of neural implants for human enhancement purposes.

As research in this field continues to advance, we may see even more exciting developments in the use of neural implants to improve brain function and treat neurological conditions.

Sources:

[1] National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2018). Brain Basics: Neuroprosthetics. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Hope-Through-Research/Brain-Basics/Neuroprosthetics

[2] Krames, E. S. (2015). Neuromodulation: A historical review. Neuromodulation, 18(5), 253-266. https://doi.org/10.1111/ner.12255

[3] Neuralink. (n.d.). About. https://www.neuralink.com/about

[4] Deer, T. R., Mekhail, N., Provenzano, D., Pope, J., Krames, E., Thomson, S., … & Buchser, E. (2017). The appropriate use of neurostimulation of the spinal cord and peripheral nervous system for the treatment of chronic pain and ischemic diseases: the Neuromodulation Appropriateness Consensus Committee. Neuromodulation, 20(6), 515-550. https://doi.org/10.1111/ner.12596

[5] Wodlinger, B., Downey, J. E., Tyler-Kabara, E. C., Schwartz, A. B., Boninger, M. L., & Collinger, J. L. (2015). Ten-dimensional anthropomorphic arm control in a human brain–machine interface: difficulties, solutions, and limitations. Journal of Neural Engineering, 12(1), 016011. https://doi.org/10.1088/1741-2560/12/1/016011

[6] Bouton, C. E., Shaikhouni, A., Annetta, N. V., Bockbrader, M. A., Friedenberg, D. A., Nielson, D. M., … & Larson, P. S. (2016). Restoring cortical control of functional movement in a human with quadriplegia. Nature, 533(7602), 247-250. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature17435

[7] Jacobs, J., Miller, J., Lee, S. A., Coffey, T., Watrous, A. J., Sperling, M. R., … & Sharan, A. D. (2016). Direct electrical stimulation of the human entorhinal region and hippocampus impairs memory. Neuron, 92(5), 983-990. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2016.10.001

[8] Hampson, R. E., Song, D., Robinson, B. S., Fetterhoff, D., Dakos, A. S., Roeder, B. M., … & Deadwyler, S. A. (2018). Developing a hippocampal neural prosthetic to facilitate human memory encoding and recall. Journal of Neural Engineering, 15(3), 036014. https://doi.org/10.1088/1741-2552/aaaed7