On April 9, Elon Musk’s Neuralink company shared a video of a monkey playing table tennis with his mind. According to a reply tweet from Elon Musk, this future technology could be tested in humans by the end of the year. In February, when a Twitter user wrote that they are “always available for clinical trials at Neuralink,” Elon Musk replied that the company was working to ensure that the Neuralink can be safely tested in humans by the end of 2021. If this is successful it can potentially be used to cure brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. What is Neuralink, the neuroscientific technology that a lot of people are talking about?
Neuralink works very hard to ensure implant safety and is in close communication with the FDA. If things go well, we may be able to do our first human trials later this year.
– Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 1, 2021
What is Neuralink?
Neuralink is a device that is surgically inserted into the brain using robotics by neurosurgeons. In this procedure, a chipset called a link is implanted in the skull. It has a series of insulated wires that are connected by the electrodes that are used in the process. This device can then be used to operate smartphones and computers without having to touch it. How does this “innovation (that is) that pushes the boundaries of neural technology” work?
How does Neuralink work?
Before you understand how Neuralink works, you should understand the science behind the human brain. The brain is made up of neurons that carry signals to cells in the body, including muscles, nerves, glands, and other neuron cells. Each neuron consists of three parts, the dendrite, the soma (cell body) and the axon. Each of these parts has its own function. The dendrite receives the signals. The soma processes these signals. The axon then transmits the signals to the other cells. The neurons are connected to each other by the synapses that release neurotransmitters. These chemicals are then sent to the dendrite of another neuron cell, causing the current to flow through the neurons. The electrodes, which are part of the Neuralink, read electrical signals generated by several neurons in the brain. The signals are then output in the form of an action or movement. According to the company’s website, the device will be implanted directly into the brain because its placement outside the head will not accurately capture the signals generated by the brain. Now that you know what Neuralink is and how it works, let’s learn what Neuralink does.
What does Neuralink do?
As mentioned above, Neuralink can be used to operate on encephalopathy. It can also be used as a link between the human brain and technology. This means that people with paralysis can easily operate their phones and computers directly with their brains. Its main purpose is to help people communicate through text or voice messages. Of course, Neuralink is not limited to this, it can also be used for drawing, photography, and other activities.
Courtesy Neuralink
