May 1, 2025
The first patient with ALS to receive a Neuralink brain transplant has demonstrated his new ability to communicate with only his mind.
Bradford Smith, who is the third human to receive the transplant in history, said on X (formerly Twitter) that he was able to "type with my brain" after being rendered largely immobile and nonverbal by the motor neuron disease.
Newsweek reached out to Smith via social media for comment.
Why It Matters
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS, is a motor neuron disease that causes a loss of muscle control and speech, often confining patients to a wheelchair. The development of Elon Musk-owned Neuralink, which began human testing in 2024, is a significant breakthrough in treating the disease, as it appears capable of restoring communication for those who are unable to speak.
What To Know
In a video uploaded to his X account on Monday, Smith said he was the "third person in the world to receive the Neuralink brain implant."
"I'm also the first person with ALS and the first nonverbal, which means that I rely on it for all communication," he said.
The Neuralink device, which Smith described as about the size of "five U.S. quarters in a stack," is implanted in the skull and connected to the brain's motor cortex, which controls the body's movement, through flexible threads. READ MORE
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SOURCE: Newsweek