What the Trial Covers
The study will be conducted in partnership with University College London Hospitals Trust and Newcastle Hospitals, and targets individuals with spinal cord injuries or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Its goal is to explore how the N1 brain implant can enable participants to control digital and physical devices using only their thoughts.
Background and Context
In May 2023, Neuralink received approval from the U.S. FDA to conduct first-in-human trials. By early 2024, human testing had already begun in the U.S., where early participants have demonstrated ability to type, move cursors, and even play video games using the implant. Five users are already using the device as part of Neuralink’s ongoing PRIME study.
UK Trial Significance
This will be Neuralink’s first clinical pilot outside the U.S., marking a milestone in international expansion of its brain-computer interface research. The trial has received clearance from British regulatory bodies including the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), Health Research Authority, and NHS ethics committees.
Eligible participants include UK residents aged 22 or older who live with conditions such as quadriplegia due to spinal injury or ALS. Initial surgeries may be limited to up to seven patients, who will undergo implantation at designated hospitals.
Why It Matters
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The study represents a significant step toward global clinical validation of Neuralink’s technology.
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If successful, the implant may offer transformative assistive capabilities for people with neurological conditions.
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The UK-based trial sets a precedent for other international studies and signals confidence in the safety and regulatory readiness of the technology.
Neuralink’s UK clinical trial marks a major expansion of its human brain implant programs. With regulatory approval and institutional collaboration secured, the study could pave the way for empowering people with paralysis through thought-driven digital control.