Neuralink, a brain-chip startup led by Elon Musk, has received approval from an independent review board to begin recruitment for its first human trial of a brain implant for paralysis patients.

The trial targets individuals with paralysis due to cervical spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and is expected to last approximately six years.

The study plans to implant a brain-computer interface (BCI) using a robotic system in the brain responsible for voluntary movement, aiming to enable computer control through thoughts. Negotiations with the FDA have reduced the trial to 10 patients, but the exact FDA-approved count remains undisclosed.

Musk envisions broader applications for Neuralink, including addressing conditions like obesity, autism, depression, and schizophrenia. Even if the BCI device proves safe for human use, obtaining commercial use clearance is anticipated to be a lengthy process, potentially spanning more than a decade, as per experts.