Brad Smith, a 28-year-old man diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), made history as the first non-verbal ALS patient to use Neuralink's brain chip to edit and narrate a YouTube video solely through his brain signals. The achievement shows the potential of Neuralink's technology to transform the lives of individuals suffering from neurodegenerative diseases.
Smith, who became the third person worldwide to receive the Neuralink implant and the first among ALS patients, demonstrated his ability to control a computer cursor with 92% accuracy using the chip implanted in his motor cortex. The device, approximately the size of five stacked quarters and containing over 1,000 electrodes, interprets the neural activity associated with intended movements.
Initially, Smith attempted to control the cursor by imagining moving his hand. However, he discovered greater effectiveness when he thought about moving his tongue or clenching his jaw. "I found that imagining moving my tongue allowed me to control the cursor more precisely, and clenching my jaw helped me 'click' virtually with the mouse," he explained.
Before receiving the Neuralink implant, Smith was limited to communicating through an eye-tracking device, which only functioned accurately in dark environments and offered limited capabilities. The implant revolutionized his ability to interact with technology, enabling him not only to communicate more effectively but also to engage in activities he once thought impossible.
In a YouTube video, Smith demonstrated how he uses impulses from his motor cortex to navigate his MacBook Pro, selecting editing tools and crafting a video using only his thoughts. The event marks the first instance of such a complex creative process being controlled entirely by brain activity. The video was further enhanced by a synthetic voice generated from recordings of Smith's voice prior to his illness, allowing him to narrate his story in a voice similar to his own.
"This allows me to tell the story in my real voice, even if I can no longer speak," Smith shared, noting the importance of regaining a part of his vocal identity.
The impact of the Neuralink implant extends beyond communication. Smith is now able to enjoy outdoor activities and has even played Mario Kart with his children, overcoming the limitations imposed by previous technology. Footage shows him engaging with his family, which reflects the versatility of the interface in restoring cherished social interactions.
"I hope this is a game changer for you and your family," said Elon Musk, the founder of Neuralink, during a video call recorded by journalist Ashlee Vance.
Smith's journey shows the potential of brain-computer interface (BCI) technology in neuroscience and assistive communication. By detecting patterns of specific neuronal activation when the patient thinks about moving a part of their body, the Neuralink device translates these signals into commands for a computer, enabling paralyzed individuals to perform tasks previously beyond their reach.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that destroys motor neurons responsible for controlling voluntary movements. Over time, patients lose the ability to speak, eat, move, and eventually breathe independently. The ability to communicate through a neural interface represents a new opportunity for ALS patients, opening new horizons for improving their quality of life.
Smith's case adds to that of Noland Arbaugh, a quadriplegic who was the first human patient to receive the Neuralink implant. Arbaugh has reported improvements in his independence and quality of life, noting that the implant helped him regain control and establish new social connections.
Reflecting on his experience, Smith said, "It took years, but we finally got here. Sometimes I still sit and cry. It's so beautiful that this effort has a purpose greater than me." He added, "I am really excited to serve others in the future with this work."
Neuralink, founded by Elon Musk in 2016, developed the implantable brain-computer interface with the goal of enabling paralyzed individuals to control computers and other devices through their thoughts. The technology works by detecting the activity of neurons that control movements and translating these signals into digital commands.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.