UK Patient Hails Elon Musk’s Neuralink Brain Chip as ‘Magical’ After Groundbreaking Implant
A United Kingdom patient has described Elon Musk’s Neuralink brain chip as “magical” after receiving the device in a pioneering clinical trial aimed at restoring communication and movement for people living with paralysis.
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Sebastian Gomez Pena, who was paralysed from the neck down following an accident during medical school, is among seven participants enrolled in the UK arm of the GB PRIME study. The experimental procedure was carried out at University College London Hospital, where doctors implanted Neuralink’s N1 device to evaluate the safety and functionality of the brain-computer interface system.
The N1 Implant works by connecting to 1,024 ultra-thin electrodes inserted approximately four millimetres into the motor cortex—the region of the brain responsible for movement. The delicate procedure was performed using Neuralink’s R1 surgical robot, which precisely positioned microscopic threads said to be thinner than a human hair.
Early findings from the ongoing trial indicate that the chip may enable patients with severe spinal cord injuries to communicate or control digital devices using brain signals alone. Researchers say the technology could open new possibilities for people living with paralysis, offering hope for improved independence and quality of life.
The GB PRIME study is part of broader global efforts to test the safety and potential applications of brain-computer interface technology in treating neurological conditions.
UK Patient Hails Elon Musk’s Neuralink Brain Chip as ‘Magical’ After Groundbreaking Implant