Neuralink and ALS: Brad Smith's Transformation Story
With the advancement of technology, developments in the field of health continue to offer people new hopes. In this context, Elon Musk, the founder of Neuralink company offers a groundbreaking application for neurological diseases. ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) patient Brad Smith, experienced a significant change in his life by using Neuralink's implant. In this article, we will examine the opportunities offered by Neuralink through Smith's story.
What is ALS?
ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that results in the gradual weakening and death of motor nerve cells. This disease causes individuals to lose muscle control and, as a result, to lose their ability to move. ALS is usually diagnosed between the ages of 40 and 70, and patients often have difficulty with basic functions such as speaking, swallowing and moving. At this point, the technological solutions offered by Neuralink have the potential to improve patients' quality of life.
Neuralink Implant: How Does It Work?
The Neuralink implant is a device that is placed in the motor cortex of the brain. This device is about the size of five coins stacked on top of each other and contains over a thousand electrodes. Thanks to these electrodes, brain signals are processed in real time and allow the user to control devices such as computers with their thoughts. Brad Smith states that thanks to his implant, he can move a computer mouse with his thoughts.
Brad Smith's Experience
Brad Smith is the third person in the world to receive the Neuralink implant, and the first person diagnosed with ALS. Smith says the implant has made a significant difference in his daily life. In his videos, he explains in detail how the implant has helped him and how it works. At first, Smith tried to direct the cursor by imagining moving his hand, but later discovered that moving his tongue and clenching his jaw were more effective.
Voiceover with Artificial Intelligence
Brad Smith created video content using his own voice, using a synthetic voice created by AI analyzing recordings of his voice before he lost the ability to speak. This provided an opportunity for emotional connection for both him and his audience. Thanks to Neuralink, Smith can now go beyond communicating with eye tracking and make social connections outside.
Playing Games with Their Children
Thanks to his Neuralink implant, Brad Smith can now play video games with his children. For him, it’s not just fun, but also a family-friendly activity. Smith shared his experience with footage of himself playing “Mario Kart,” emphasizing how valuable the time he spends with his children is to him.
Smith's Message and Hopes for the Future
Brad Smith says that this process has taken years, but now he emphasizes the importance of working for a purpose greater than himself. “Sometimes I get emotional and cry. I hope to serve others in the future with this work,” he says, aiming to give hope to other ALS patients. With such applications, Neuralink aims to not only increase the quality of life of individuals, but also to create social awareness.
Human Experimentation and Future Vision
Neuralink performed its first human implant in January 2024. The company’s first human test subject, paralyzed Noland Arbaugh, stated that thanks to the implant, he found independence and social connection in his life. Such experiments have the potential to open a new era in the treatment of neurological diseases and are expected to be applied to more people in the future.
In conclusion, Neuralink and similar technological advances are opening new doors of hope for individuals struggling with neurological diseases such as ALS. Brad Smith’s story shows that the possibilities these technologies offer are just the beginning. In the future, more people’s lives could change and their quality of life could be improved thanks to such innovations.
