Neuralink postponed its second brain-implant surgery after finding that the patient is not suitable for the surgery due to their medical condition, Bloomberg reported.
Doctors at the Barrow Neurological Institute did not provide information on the exact cause for the postponement but expect a replacement candidate for the surgery as soon as next month.
The patient, whose identity was not disclosed to protect their privacy, has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis that causes the nerve cells in the spine and brain to deteriorate, causing total muscle paralysis.
Neuralink has yet to provide a statement about the suspension.
Neuralink Faces Problems in Human Tests for Brain Implants
The postponement for the second brain implant surgery is only the latest in Neuralink's growing hurdles to continue human tests for its neural implants.
In a blog post last month, the Elon Musk-led company disclosed that it encountered some problems with its first brain implant patient after several connective threads on the brain chip retracted shortly after surgery.
Neuralink solved the issue quickly, allowing the patient Noland Arbaugh, who is paralyzed from the neck down, to play Civilization VI and chess with his mind.
— Neuralink (@neuralink) March 20, 2024
Despite challenges, experts believe Neuralink's project will help many paralysis patients and other movement disabilities.
In America alone, at least 180,000 people are estimated to live with quadriplegia with 18,000 more spinal-related injuries recorded every year.
Many of these patients continue to wait for years to receive adequate treatment for their injuries, stunting any hopes for full recovery.
Neuralink Seeks Three More Patients for Brain Implant Surgery
With the success of its first human brain implant surgery, Neuralink is currently looking to expand its test surgeries to three more patients as it moves to get federal approval for its neurological chips.
So far, the US Food and Drug Administration has only approved one more surgery after the company passed the initial requirements.
