Brain implants and robotic limb replacements have become an area of increasing interest. The most recent step in advancement being the implantation of a brain implant into the brain of a human by Elon Musk’s Neuralink company. The aim of this is to allow people to control devices with just their thoughts

Indeed, this isn’t the first instance of brain implants being used. Previous examples include Gert-Jan Oskam who used an implant to allow him to stand and walk. Technology has also advanced with robotic arms being tested in monkeys allowing them to control the arm to eat.

However, this all raises the question of should we still be weary of these developments as well as question the motives behind them. As with an implant, there is the risk of infection. It is also worth noting that despite the advertised successes, there are instances where the public and investors were misled abut the safety of the brain implant. Records showed that monkeys with the implant experienced paralysis, seizures and brain swelling. This forces us to question, is he hiding anything else?

As humans, our sex is dictated by the combination of our sex chromosomes. XX for females and XY for Males. But other species don’t use X or Y chromosomes and some lack chromosomes completely!

Early reptiles such as the crocodile are one such species. They have no sex chromosomes and therefore their sex is regulated via the environment. On warmer days (temperatures above 32oc) developing crocodiles will follow the male developmental pathway and on cooler days (temperatures bellow 32oc) they will follow a female developmental pathway. When I first found this out I couldn’t believe it because I thought all sex was determined by genetics but it turns out it isn’t the case for all animals.

So, sex can be determined by either genetics or the environment but can both play a role? The answer is yes! Pogona viticeps can switch between both temperature and genetic determination! Furthermore Pogona doesn’t use X and Y but Z and W chromosomes!

Hi, My name is Tom and I am a 2nd year studying Biomedical Science.

I found this news article today, which talks about a man called Michel Roccati, who suffered a motorbike 5 years ago. He has a completely severed spinal cord, which means he has no feeling in his legs whatsoever. Thanks to a team of researchers in Switzerland, an implant was developed that was attached to the spinal cord, allowing for the relaying of neuron signals down the spinal cord. This implant would allow for people with spinal cord injuries to be able to regain some function that was lost due to this injury.

Michel was able to receive this implant and it allowed him to walk. I was absolutely astonished that something that I deemed impossible became possible through technology. However, I know this is only the beginning and the implant will not fix all of the complications caused by a spinal cord injury, but it is still a feat of science. This implant has already allowed 9 people to regain their ability to walk, and I am so excited to see where this technology takes us and what we can achieve.

An article posted by William A. Haseltine to Forbes shares recent insights into breakthroughs in prosthetic brain-machine interfaces. brain-machine interfaces are not entirely new technologies, however, the Ortiz-Catalan hand discussed in this article varies in a few ways from previous prosthetics. The article states that one major complaint from prosthetics users how comfortable it is during use; the Ortiz-Catalan hand aims to address this through attaching the prosthetic directly to the skeletal system via osseointegration.

Just discovered this article in which Stanford university scientists has used a patients own stem cells to develop 3D printed heart tissue. This is a groundbreaking discovery for the patients on the long extensive organ transplant list with the average duration of a waiting time being around 3-5 years this new research can be revolutionary for the treatments and may extend the lifespan of thousands upon thousands of individuals. The method of bio-printing isn’t unique but due to this new method we can now speed up the process by synthesising thousands of cells at a time in so called ‘Organoids’.

Interesting enough, the next step for this research is to develop a way to manufacture multiple Organoids together allowing a more effective way to test new drugs and so this new research has multiple useful applications

check out this video here for more

What is Neuralink?

We’ve all heard the terms Neuralink around in the past few years, but ultimately what is it? Neuralink is an American neurotechnology company founded by none other than Elon Musk. Musk highlighted their mission includes developing an implantable brain-computer interfaces (BCI) allowing patients to connect and even control movement with just their mind. It will also aid in the study of brain electrical impulses and development of treatments to various medical problems that require such technologies.

How does Neuralink Work?

The Neuralink device consists of a coin size 8mm chip called the N1 chipset and this will be implanted into a patients skull. Its true wow-factor lies in its numerous hair-like, micro-cables containing electrodes and wires that mimic the size of individual neurones. These flexible yet minuscule ‘threads’ were developed as a means to reduce disruption of the brain’s normal function. Furthermore, as the wires are very small and practically impossible to be inserted by humans, a ‘neurosurgery robot’ called R1 Robot, capable of inserting six threads every minute, was subsequently created to conduct the implantation.

Once in place the N1 chip should be able to record and transmit electrical brain signals, wirelessly to a mobile app that decodes movement intention. Their goal is to allow people who ‘control a computer cursor or keyboard using thoughts alone’.

Neuralink falls into the category of brain-computer interfacing (BCI) which usually involve recording electrical signals from the brain, interpreting them and turning them into actions. This technology could therefore be used to restore physical mobility in people with disabilities.

What is going on with their First Clinical Trials?

Human clinical trials for the first Neuralink study was US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved in September 2023. While trials regarding BCI in human patients can seem alarming, the FDA has placed tight regulations to regulate safety and the company must adhere to this. Eligibility of participants is narrow as the only patients that can take part in the trials are those with quadriplegia from an injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In the trial, not only does Musk aim to assess the N1 chip but also evaluate the safety and efficacy of the R1 robot.

Where Elon Musk goes follows media controversy and this was no exception as allegation of animal cruelty was suggested early on in animal trials. According to the media company Reuters over 1,500 animals have passed admits the Neuralink animal trials, a rather high number which reflects the rushed development from the company. There is further concern regarding FDA’s uncertainty about the long term effects and potential of permanent brain damage from exposure to the battery of the chip.

Nevertheless, Musk is one step closer and he shares a brief update on the first patient who has had a successful transplantation. In a Spaces event he shares, ‘Progress is good and the patient seems to have made a full recovery’ and that the patient could ‘ move a mouse around by just thinking.’

What do you think about human trials for a brain-computer interface device? Are you ready to accept that this is the future?

References:

1. https://neuralink.com/
2. https://kr-asia.com/all-in-your-head-what-you-should-know-about-neuralink-and-brain-computer-interfaces

Prosthetic fingers have been practise for patients with fingers missing. The most common form is a prosthetic that is simply attached to the remaining part of thew finger. But are they purely cosmetic or can recent discoveries restore some motor functions?

Can a spinal cord a spinal cord stimulator be the answer to many people’s dreams? A recent study by Michael Nolan explores a new and exciting treatment to help cure Parkinson’s Disease.

Marc Gauthier was diagnosed at the young age of 36 years old with Parkinson’s Disease. This made life difficult for him and walking became a massive task. he thought he would live the rest of the his life with the fear of losing balance and falling uncontrollably. However, life became easier for him when an experimental medical procedure gave him mobility back allowing him to live life to the fullest again!