Elon Musk’s Claims About Brain Company Mostly Backed by
Science
Science
Neuralink is one of the world’s most hyped biotech
companies. Will it perform as promised? Here’s what scientists make of the
hype.
companies. Will it perform as promised? Here’s what scientists make of the
hype.
By Sarah McBride
August 27, 2020, 12:00 PM GMT+1
Elon Musk has made plenty of claims about Neuralink Corp.,
his brain-machine interface company. On Twitter and on podcasts, the
billionaire has touted abilities that sound nothing short of miraculous: easing
depression, helping with obsessive compulsive disorder and treating traumatic
brain injuries.
his brain-machine interface company. On Twitter and on podcasts, the
billionaire has touted abilities that sound nothing short of miraculous: easing
depression, helping with obsessive compulsive disorder and treating traumatic
brain injuries.
Now, Neuralink, whose work has largely been shrouded in
secrecy, is set to give a public “progress update” on Friday.
secrecy, is set to give a public “progress update” on Friday.
In the run-up to the big reveal, Musk has allowed some
glimpses at the company’s technology. An early look came a year ago, when the
Neuralink team showed off tiny
electrodes on thin, flexible probes they said would be able to penetrate
brain tissue with minimal damage, and ultimately help restore brain
function to people with traumatic brain injuries. The team has already been
placing them in rats and primates.
glimpses at the company’s technology. An early look came a year ago, when the
Neuralink team showed off tiny
electrodes on thin, flexible probes they said would be able to penetrate
brain tissue with minimal damage, and ultimately help restore brain
function to people with traumatic brain injuries. The team has already been
placing them in rats and primates.
Will the devices actually be able to achieve the
breakthroughs Musk says they can? Here’s a rundown of what we know so far about
Musk’s startup—the most recent claims, the technology, and what neuroscientists
say is actually possible.
breakthroughs Musk says they can? Here’s a rundown of what we know so far about
Musk’s startup—the most recent claims, the technology, and what neuroscientists
say is actually possible.
Claim: Neuralink will
soon be able to implant its technology in humans
soon be able to implant its technology in humans
On May 7, Musk appeared on the popular podcast, the Joe
Rogan Experience, and made a distinctive claim about Neuralink: The startup
would “be able to implant a neural link in less than a year in a person, I
think.”
Rogan Experience, and made a distinctive claim about Neuralink: The startup
would “be able to implant a neural link in less than a year in a person, I
think.”
The prediction is not actually as groundbreaking as it might
sound. Musk was describing a procedure that happens fairly routinely to
treat conditions such as epilepsy and Parkinson’s, despite
potentially fatal risks such as brain hemorrhages.
sound. Musk was describing a procedure that happens fairly routinely to
treat conditions such as epilepsy and Parkinson’s, despite
potentially fatal risks such as brain hemorrhages.
Justin Sanchez, who helped fund research done by Neuralink
scientists when he ran the biological technologies office at the Defense
Advanced Research Projects Agency, estimates that about 200,000 people
globally have some sort of neurotechnology implanted in their brain. In
fact, the technology is so well developed at this point that the Battelle
Memorial Institute, where Sanchez is a fellow, has developed a neurotechnology-based
non-implanted device aimed at nothing more grandiose than helping people
improve their golf swings.
scientists when he ran the biological technologies office at the Defense
Advanced Research Projects Agency, estimates that about 200,000 people
globally have some sort of neurotechnology implanted in their brain. In
fact, the technology is so well developed at this point that the Battelle
Memorial Institute, where Sanchez is a fellow, has developed a neurotechnology-based
non-implanted device aimed at nothing more grandiose than helping people
improve their golf swings.
The other important element of Musk’s statement was that
Neuralink is on track for human trials by next year. To test so quickly in
humans, the company would need to get an exemption from the normal multi-year
regulatory process from the Food and Drug Administration. That may be
possible—other brain implants have received exemptions. But Neuralink’s device
could face additional challenges.
Neuralink is on track for human trials by next year. To test so quickly in
humans, the company would need to get an exemption from the normal multi-year
regulatory process from the Food and Drug Administration. That may be
possible—other brain implants have received exemptions. But Neuralink’s device
could face additional challenges.
Currently, the company uses flexible polymers, which are
unlikely to last a decade in the human body—the minimum timeframe the FDA
likes to see in medical devices that can’t easily be removed. “If you want to
test whether something can last 10 years, you really have to wait 10 years,”
says Matt Angle, chief executive of Paradromics Inc., an Austin, Texas-based
brain-machine interface company.
unlikely to last a decade in the human body—the minimum timeframe the FDA
likes to see in medical devices that can’t easily be removed. “If you want to
test whether something can last 10 years, you really have to wait 10 years,”
says Matt Angle, chief executive of Paradromics Inc., an Austin, Texas-based
brain-machine interface company.
A report in health news site Stat News this week detailed
internal tensions at Neuralink, citing former employees who said the company
culture could be chaotic and that it quickly cycled through scientific talent.
According to two anonymous former employees, it had explored possibly by
passing the U.S. regulatory process by pursuing human trials in China or Russia.
internal tensions at Neuralink, citing former employees who said the company
culture could be chaotic and that it quickly cycled through scientific talent.
According to two anonymous former employees, it had explored possibly by
passing the U.S. regulatory process by pursuing human trials in China or Russia.
Claim: Neuralink
devices will be able to treat addiction
and depression
devices will be able to treat addiction
and depression
On July 10, Musk took to Twitter with another notable
statement. A Twitter user asked Musk if Neuralink could be used to retrain the
part of the brain that causes addiction and depression. Musk replied, “For
sure. This is both great & terrifying.”
statement. A Twitter user asked Musk if Neuralink could be used to retrain the
part of the brain that causes addiction and depression. Musk replied, “For
sure. This is both great & terrifying.”
Neuroscientists agree that placing electrodes in the brain
could help mitigate those conditions. In fact, researchers beyond Neuralink are
working on it now, including Alik Widge, a psychiatrist and biomedical engineer
at the University of Minnesota. The treatment involves applying electrodes to a
spot in the brain called the internal capsule, and works by stimulating
connections to the prefrontal cortex to improve cognitive functions such as
perception and judgment. About 200 patients worldwide have tried the technique
for depression, Widge said.
could help mitigate those conditions. In fact, researchers beyond Neuralink are
working on it now, including Alik Widge, a psychiatrist and biomedical engineer
at the University of Minnesota. The treatment involves applying electrodes to a
spot in the brain called the internal capsule, and works by stimulating
connections to the prefrontal cortex to improve cognitive functions such as
perception and judgment. About 200 patients worldwide have tried the technique
for depression, Widge said.
In several countries opioid
addicts have had electrodes implanted into the areas of the brain that
control addiction. That includes the U.S., where a West Virginia man underwent
the procedure late last year at WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute. He has
abstained from opioids since, a spokeswoman said. A second opioid patient
underwent the same surgery earlier this month.
addicts have had electrodes implanted into the areas of the brain that
control addiction. That includes the U.S., where a West Virginia man underwent
the procedure late last year at WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute. He has
abstained from opioids since, a spokeswoman said. A second opioid patient
underwent the same surgery earlier this month.
While there are hurdles to wide adoption, there is no reason
Neuralink couldn’t push into these areas in the future. In a 2018 review of
studies of deep brain stimulation and its effects on depression, scientists
said the results “showed promise” but the technique remained experimental. “The
psychiatrists I talk with say that they want to see much stronger efficacy
data,” Widge said.
Neuralink couldn’t push into these areas in the future. In a 2018 review of
studies of deep brain stimulation and its effects on depression, scientists
said the results “showed promise” but the technique remained experimental. “The
psychiatrists I talk with say that they want to see much stronger efficacy
data,” Widge said.
Claim: The startup
will be able to mitigate conditions like obsessive
compulsive disorder
will be able to mitigate conditions like obsessive
compulsive disorder
On July 18, a Twitter user asked if Neuralink could help
patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder and if it could stimulate the
release of oxytocin, serotonin and other chemicals. Musk replied simply, “Yes.”
patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder and if it could stimulate the
release of oxytocin, serotonin and other chemicals. Musk replied simply, “Yes.”
Programs around the country already do this, so it’s
plausible that Neuralink could one day achieve the same, experts said. However,
scientists’ grasp on exactly how the technology works is still evolving. “We
just have the understanding of bits and pieces,” said Rachel Davis, director of
OCD and neuromodulation programs at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical
Campus, which is working on the technology.
plausible that Neuralink could one day achieve the same, experts said. However,
scientists’ grasp on exactly how the technology works is still evolving. “We
just have the understanding of bits and pieces,” said Rachel Davis, director of
OCD and neuromodulation programs at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical
Campus, which is working on the technology.
Many scientists see big potential here, mainly because
existing drugs often fall short when it comes to OCD and related conditions.
“The next big wave for these stimulation technologies is going to be mood,”
said Dave Rosa, CEO of NeuroOne Medical Technologies Corp.
existing drugs often fall short when it comes to OCD and related conditions.
“The next big wave for these stimulation technologies is going to be mood,”
said Dave Rosa, CEO of NeuroOne Medical Technologies Corp.
Claim: Neuralink could “solve”
brain injuries, and treat conditions like autism and ALS
brain injuries, and treat conditions like autism and ALS
On July 18, responding to Musk’s call for job applicants who
wanted to help “solve” brain and spinal injuries, a Twitter user asked if
Neuralink could also help disabled people living with injuries, autism and
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. Musk replied it had that potential.
wanted to help “solve” brain and spinal injuries, a Twitter user asked if
Neuralink could also help disabled people living with injuries, autism and
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. Musk replied it had that potential.
Illustration of what Neuralink's first brain-machine
interface might look like in humans, with a series of implants connected to a
device surgically implanted behind the ear.Source: Neuralink
interface might look like in humans, with a series of implants connected to a
device surgically implanted behind the ear.Source: Neuralink
Deep brain stimulation, or treatment via electrodes
implanted into the brain, is already used for traumatic brain injuries. Many
patients have already undergone the procedure with promising results.
Encouraging signs are also emerging that such technologies could help address
autism. Implanting electrodes in the brains of autistic people has helped
improve symptoms in many cases.
implanted into the brain, is already used for traumatic brain injuries. Many
patients have already undergone the procedure with promising results.
Encouraging signs are also emerging that such technologies could help address
autism. Implanting electrodes in the brains of autistic people has helped
improve symptoms in many cases.
Treating ALS, however, may be more difficult. Vikash Gilja,
a former Neuralink employee who now teaches at the University of California,
San Diego and runs a translational neural engineering research lab there, says
that would be a tough disease to combat with brain-machine interfaces, because
it affects such broad areas of the brain. “We’re more likely to see
pharmaceutical treatments for that,” Gilja said.
a former Neuralink employee who now teaches at the University of California,
San Diego and runs a translational neural engineering research lab there, says
that would be a tough disease to combat with brain-machine interfaces, because
it affects such broad areas of the brain. “We’re more likely to see
pharmaceutical treatments for that,” Gilja said.
Claim: The company
will be able to stream music directly into people’s brains
will be able to stream music directly into people’s brains
On July 19, a Twitter user asked if someone with a Neuralink
implant would be able to stream music “directly from our chips,” calling it a
“great feature.” Again, Musk replied with a simple “Yes.”
implant would be able to stream music “directly from our chips,” calling it a
“great feature.” Again, Musk replied with a simple “Yes.”
While it sounds far-fetched, neuroscientists say this
feature wouldn’t differ markedly from existing technology. “That’s very
technically feasible,” says Angle of Paradromics. “The auditory pathway is very
well mapped.”
feature wouldn’t differ markedly from existing technology. “That’s very
technically feasible,” says Angle of Paradromics. “The auditory pathway is very
well mapped.”
Some in the scientific community have watched the company’s
promises warily, fearing that they might prompt afflicted people to delay
necessary procedures. “One issue that has come up time and time again is the
ethics around creating false hope” around unknown timelines, said Gilja, the
UCSD professor and former Neuralink employee. “Creating hope in a patient
population can be a good thing, but it can be a negative if a patient is trying
to determine whether to get treated.” They may believe a better solution lies
in the near future, when in fact it could be years out.
promises warily, fearing that they might prompt afflicted people to delay
necessary procedures. “One issue that has come up time and time again is the
ethics around creating false hope” around unknown timelines, said Gilja, the
UCSD professor and former Neuralink employee. “Creating hope in a patient
population can be a good thing, but it can be a negative if a patient is trying
to determine whether to get treated.” They may believe a better solution lies
in the near future, when in fact it could be years out.
Musk doesn’t claim that Neuralink can do everything. Over
the years, he has ignored questions ranging from the creepy (such as whether it
will facilitate head transplants) to the quotidian (such as whether it will
help with balance). “What will Neuralink do for the culinary arts?” asked one
tweeter. Musk’s answer: silence.
the years, he has ignored questions ranging from the creepy (such as whether it
will facilitate head transplants) to the quotidian (such as whether it will
help with balance). “What will Neuralink do for the culinary arts?” asked one
tweeter. Musk’s answer: silence.
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