We Finally Know Where Neuralink’s Brain Implant Trial Is Happening

Elon Musk’s brain-implant company Neuralink has chosen the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona, as the initial study site to test its Telepathy device.

The first participant in Neuralink’s study, Noah Arbaugh, underwent a successful procedure at the institute in January to get the device implanted. Known as a brain-computer interface, or BCI, the technology is meant to translate brain signals into commands that control a computer or other external device. Neuralink’s goal is to enable individuals with paralysis to use a cursor or keyboard with just their thoughts.

In March, Arbaugh demonstrated his ability to use the system in a short livestream on the social media platform X. A diving accident eight years ago left Arbaugh paralyzed from the shoulders down. In the video, he’s shown using a computer to play online chess. He said he also uses the Neuralink interface to play the video game Civilization.

“We chose to partner with Barrow based on their extensive expertise in caring for patients with complex neurological conditions,” Neuralink said in a recent blog post. Barrow put out its own press release announcing the partnership as well. The institute has more than 300 active clinical trials currently underway and performs around 6,000 neurosurgeries a year. When reached via email, a Barrow spokesperson said the institute is not conducting interviews at this time. Neuralink did not respond to a request for comment.

Neuralink has been criticized for not publishing any peer-reviewed research or listing its study on ClinicalTrials.gov, an online repository for research involving human subjects. Updates about the trial have instead emerged from social media posts by Neuralink or by Musk himself, who cofounded the company. The company did publish a brochure last fall that provides some details about the study, including basic information on how the device works and who is eligible to participate. The trial site announcement, Arbaugh's livestreamed demonstration, and Neuralink’s recent blog post fill in some of those gaps.

The study will evaluate the safety and initial effectiveness of the Neuralink device. It’s open to adults with quadriplegia due to