12.69°C Vancouver

Sep 5, 2025 6:07 PM - The Canadian Press

Elon Musk's Neuralink brain chip implanted into two quadriplegic Canadian patients

Share On
elon-musks-neuralink-brain-chip-implanted-into-two-quadriplegic-canadian-patients
The Canadian men, both around 30 years old – one from Ontario, the other from Alberta – have limited or no ability to use their hands.(Photo- The Canadian Press)

Two Canadian patients with spinal cord injuries have received Neuralink brain implants that have allowed them to control a computer with their thoughts.

They are part of the first clinical trial outside of the United States to test the safety and effectiveness of Elon Musk's Neuralink wireless brain chip, which he introduced to the public in 2020, and was first implanted in a paralyzed American in 2024.

The Canadian men, both around 30 years old – one from Ontario, the other from Alberta – have limited or no ability to use their hands.

Dr. Andres Lozano, a neurosurgeon at University Health Network who led the surgical team at Toronto Western Hospital, said the patients could move a computer cursor almost immediately after. They were able to leave the hospital following their respective surgeries on Aug. 27 and Sept. 3 the next morning, he said.

Electrodes were implanted into the motor area of each patient’s brain to harness neuron signals and translate those signals into actions on an external device, skipping over the need to physically move, Lozano explained.

“The first patient was able to control a cursor by just thinking within minutes. It is extremely rapid. The signals are decoded and the artificial intelligence reads the signals and then translates them into movement on the cursor,” he said.

“They just think about it and it happens.”

Brain-computer interface (BCI) devices are not exclusive to Neuralink, and other companies like New-York based Synchron, are conducting their own clinical trials.

The promise of this technology is encouraging, but expectations should be tempered, said Barry Munro, chief development officer of the Canadian Spinal Research Organization.

Munro, who has been quadriplegic since a diving accident 38 years ago, said he has dedicated his life to spinal cord injury research, and helped with recruitment for Neuralink's U.S. trial. The first person to receive the device last year has said publicly that it started slipping out of his brain weeks after the surgery, setting back his progress, but that he's since stabilized and that it has still been worthwhile.

Munro said he has witnessed “false hope” time again in this field and instead encourages “educated hope,” to learn and be excited, without expecting an implant like this to be available within the next six months.

“We ain't there yet, that's all,” he said.

The Canadian patients will be monitored for at least a year, with the clinical research team permitted to enrol another four patients in the country who have either been paralyzed by a spinal cord injury or who have Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

The clinical trial team will be evaluating if the technology is safe and if it adds value to the patient’s quality of life. Side effects they will be looking out for could include seizures, infections or strokes.

In the coming weeks and months, the patients will learn to type on a computer without touching a keyboard. Already, they are able to play video games.

“It's really as a preliminary step to see whether this should be scaled and rolled out to a larger population,” Lozano said.

“The device right now is a cursor, but in the future you could drive a car, you could drive your wheelchair, you could drive a robot.”

Latest news

BCOct 01, 2025

Police remind the public to be cautious against cryptocurrency frauds

Coquitlam RCMP remind the public to protect themselves against cryptocurrency fraud. Coquitlam RCMP has received multiple reports of individuals losing significant amounts of money after investing in fraudulent cryptocurrency apps. Scammers typically reach out through text messages, emails, or social media, claiming they’ve made thousands of dollars through cryptocurrency investments. They then convince victims to deposit money into a fake investment app. Once the money is deposited, the app displays fictitious profits to create the illusion of a successful investment. The scammers use th
chief-minister-mann-meets-home-minister-amit-shah
IndiaOct 01, 2025

Chief Minister Mann meets Home Minister Amit Shah

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann met Union Home Minister Amit Shah. During this meeting, he informed the Home Minister about the damage caused by floods in Punjab and demanded a special package. In this regard, he says that the Home Minister has assured Punjab of more help from the Center. He said that the meeting was held in a comfortable atmosphere and that the Union Home Minister has also promised to provide more central help by describing the announced financial package of 1600 crores as 'token money'. He said that the Punjab government has increased the state budget for compensatio
man-gets-six-years-for-shooting-arson-at-punjabi-singers-home-in-b-c
BCOct 01, 2025

Man gets six years for shooting, arson at Punjabi singer's home in B.C.

A Winnipeg man convicted of arson and firing a weapon at the British Columbia home of Indo-Canadian pop star AP Dhillon last year has been sentenced to six years in prison. RCMP say in a release that 26-year-old Abjeet Kingra has a noted connection to the India-based Bishnoi gang, and a judge concluded that the attack on Dhillon's Vancouver Island home last year was not isolated. The Bishnoi gang, based in India, has been linked to a number of investigations into violent crimes across Canada, and was classified as a terrorist entity by the federal government this week. The Mounties say Kingra
rcmp-slated-to-deliver-update-on-missing-six-year-old-alberta-boy
AlbertaOct 01, 2025

RCMP slated to deliver update on missing six-year-old Alberta boy

RCMP are expected to give an update later today on the search for a six-year-old boy missing from the southern Alberta Rockies. Darius Macdougall was reported missing on Sept. 21 after he didn't return from a walk with six young relatives in the Crowsnest Pass area, where his family had been camping. Mounties say his chances of survival in the mountainous terrain are slim, but that they won't scale back the search, noting there's been nothing to suggest foul play. The boy's family says they're grateful to the searchers and won't rest until he's brought home. Hundreds of searcher
richmond-rcmp-seeking-to-identify-suspect-in-alleged-theft
BCOct 01, 2025

Richmond RCMP seeking to identify suspect in alleged theft.

On June 2, 2025 Richmond RCMP received a report of an alleged theft in the 8700 block of Lansdowne Road. The complainant alleged his camera equipment, including two lenses had been stolen. Through video surveillance, Richmond RCMP frontline was ablet to identify a suspect. The man is described as: Middle Eastern; 25 to 30 years; 5’8; Medium build; Curly black hair; Black facial hair. He was wearing a taupe or tan coloured hoodie, blue skinny jeans, black shoes with a black bag. The man left the area on foot towards Lansdowne Road. Anyone able to identify, or who has information regarding th

Related News