Third Neuralink patient able to communicate despite nonverbal condition
In this DML Report…
Brad Smith, the third person and first with non-verbal ALS to receive a Neuralink brain implant, can now communicate using his own voice through the company’s brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, as reported on April 27, 2025. Diagnosed with ALS, which destroys motor neurons, Smith is paralyzed, able to move only his eyes and reliant on a ventilator. The Neuralink N1 implant, surgically placed in his motor cortex with 1,024 electrodes, allows him to control a MacBook Pro cursor and type by thought, creating and editing videos. His voice, cloned via AI from pre-ALS recordings, enables verbal communication, a significant step for those with severe neurological conditions.
The Neuralink implant, part of the FDA-approved PRIME Study, is a coin-sized device inserted by a robot, using 64 ultra-fine threads to record neural activity with minimal brain damage. Smith, one of three participants—all with paralysis from ALS or spinal cord injuries—trains the system by moving a cursor, enhancing its precision. He created a custom keypad for tasks like copy, paste, and navigation, though he notes the challenge of typing slower than his thoughts. Neuralink’s technology, which connects wirelessly via Bluetooth, aims to restore autonomy for paralyzed individuals, with Smith reporting improved quality of life despite ALS’s ongoing toll.
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Neuralink, founded by Elon Musk, has faced scrutiny over safety protocols, including past fines for violating hazardous material transport rules and criticism for animal testing practices. The company’s January 2024 blog post confirmed three successful implants, with plans to expand trials to 20-30 more patients in 2025. Smith, who volunteered for the trial, views his participation as a way to advance treatments for others, despite early challenges like electrode retraction in the first patient, which Neuralink addressed through software updates. The technology shows promise but remains in early stages, with long-term safety and efficacy still under evaluation.