Neuralink, a company founded by Elon Musk, has announced the launch of Europe's first clinical trial, which will be conducted in the UK to test brain implants. This was reported on August 1, 2025.
The study, carried out in collaboration with University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals, will involve seven British patients with severe paralysis caused by spinal cord injuries or neurological diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
The aim of the study is to implant the N1 chip under the participants' skulls, allowing them to control smartphones and tablets with their minds without physically touching the screen. The device is equipped with 128 ultra-fine threads, each thinner than a human hair, connecting about 1000 electrodes to the brain.
Neuralink already has experience of successful trials in the US, where N1 chips were implanted in five patients. One of them, Alex, worked as a car mechanic, repairing various vehicles and large equipment, before his spinal cord injury. Thanks to the neurochip, he was able to play computer games, which was a significant step towards restoring his activity.
