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Canada’s University Health Network (UHN) has announced that Toronto Western Hospital will become the first non-US site to participate in clinical trials of Neuralink’s brain-implant technology. The company has been developing advanced brain-machine interface devices to understand how the human brain interacts with technology.
Neuralink’s first product, the N1 implant, is designed to enable patients to control external devices — such as computers — using only their thoughts. This innovation offers hope to individuals with severe motor impairments, providing a potential avenue for greater independence and interaction with their environment.
The company has broader ambitions beyond its initial trials, including projects to address conditions like blindness. However, these initiatives remain in earlier stages of development.
“We’re happy to announce that Health Canada has approved the launch of our first clinical trial in Canada! Recruitment is now open,” Neuralink announced on X. “If you have quadriplegia due to ALS or SCI, you may qualify.”
Neuralink has been recruiting patients in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada through an online registry. The addition of Toronto Western Hospital strengthens its international presence and reflects the growing interest in brain-computer interface research.
Earlier this year, Neuralink’s first human implantation was conducted at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona. The patient, Noland Arbaugh, became the face of Neuralink’s initial foray into clinical applications. The success of this trial has fueled the company’s determination to expand its research globally.
In August 2024, Neuralink successfully implanted its chip in a second patient despite reports of wire issues.
UHN’s Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Smith, expressed pride in the organisation’s role in advancing neurological research. “We are incredibly proud to be at the forefront of this research advancement in neurosurgery,” Smith said. He added that Toronto Western Hospital would serve as the “first and exclusive” Canadian site for the trial, though the specific start date remains announced.
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