Fully paralysed woman shares major effects of Elon Musk’s Neuralink implant

A fully paralysed woman who tried out Elon Musk’s Neuralink implant has regained a level of ability 'for the first time in 20 years'.

Audrey Crews, from Louisiana, US, was involved in a car accident at the age of 16 and hasn't been able to walk since.

As well as damaging the C4 and C5 vertebrae in her neck, Audrey lost complete feeling in her arms and legs.

In comes Neuralink, a company co-founded by Musk in 2016, that has developed chips which provide a link to the brain and an external computer.

For those who are unable to use their hands, the coin-sized chip allows people to control external devices with just their thoughts.

Last year, Noland Arbaugh became the first paralysed man to try out the N1 implant, which was surgically placed in his skull. The link transmits neural signals wirelessly to a receiving unit, often through a Bluetooth connection.

Noland Arbaugh became the first person to use Elon Musk's Neuralink chip (ABC)

Arbaugh, who was paralysed below the shoulders after a diving accident in 2016, was able to control a computer cursor with his mind.

Similarly, Audrey can now do the same after undergoing the treatment this month.

In a series of posts on X, she uploaded computer drawings of her name as well as doodles of a cat named Ellie.

Audrey Crews has shared her Neuralink progress on X (X/@NeuraNova9)

"I had surgery last week and everything is going amazing," she said.

"It was brain surgery, they drilled a hole in my skull and placed 128 threads into my motor cortex.

"The chip is about the size of a quarter. The staff of University of Miami Health Center were awesome.

"They treated me like a VIP and are some of the sweetest people I've ever met."

Explaining how it works, Audrey said 'the BCI [brain-computer interface] lets me control my computer using my mind'.

Audrey, who is fully paralysed, can now use her mind to draw images and text (X/@NeuraNova9)

"I'll be able to control more electronic devices in the near future," Audrey added, but clarified that the 'implant will not allow me to walk again or regain movement'.

"It's strictly for telepathy only. We are still in Miami but I'll be home soon and we'll post more vids explaining the process in more detail. I am the first women in the world to do this," she penned.

Musk himself responded to a post on X about Audrey's story, saying: "She is controlling her computer just by thinking. Most people don't realize this is possible."

It comes after Neuralink said in May that it had received permission from the FDA to 'help restore communication for individuals with severe speech impairment'.

"This includes those affected by ALS, stroke, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, and other neurological conditions," the company added.