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Miami, FL - A paralyzed U.S. military veteran received Elon Musk’s Neuralink brain implant at the University of Miami Health System, marking a major milestone in brain-computer interface technology.
The implant is part of Neuralink’s clinical trial aimed at helping patients with paralysis due to spinal cord injuries or ALS control digital devices using only their thoughts.
The patient, identified as RJ, became quadriplegic after a motorcycle accident damaged his cervical spine.
Now, thanks to the chip, he can perform tasks like turning on the TV just by thinking.
“It’s been an incredible amount of progress,” said Elon Musk during a summer update on Neuralink’s trials.
Dr. Jonathan Jagid, a professor of clinical neurological surgery at UHealth and partner in the trial, led the implantation procedure.
He described the device as nearly invisible and praised its compact design.
“Its miniaturization is what makes it truly groundbreaking,” he said.
The trial, known as the PRIME Study, began in early 2024 and is being conducted in partnership with The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.
During Neuralink’s presentation, researchers showed one participant moving a cursor on a screen through thought alone, a feat impossible for patients before the implant.
Dr. Jagid acknowledged the unknowns that come with emerging neurotechnology but emphasized the importance of early results.
Neuralink is actively seeking more trial participants with spinal cord injuries or ALS.
Those interested can register at Neuralink.com/trials.
For RJ, the implant has brought renewed hope. “I’m excited to see what BCI’s got going on,” he said.