Paradromics implants brain-computer interface into first human patient

Paradromics, a competitor of Neuralink, announced Monday it safely implanted a brain-computer interface into a human patient last month at the University of Michigan, and recorded neural activity before removing it 10 minutes later. Photo by University of Michigan
June 2 (UPI) -- Paradromics, a competitor of Neuralink, announced Monday it safely implanted a brain-computer interface into a human patient and recorded neural activity, before removing it 10 minutes later.
The surgical procedure, performed May 14 at the University of Michigan, marks the first time Paradromics has temporarily implanted its device -- called Connexus -- into a human with the goal of restoring neural signals in patients with spinal cord injuries, stroke or ALS. Until last month, the Austin-based startup had only implanted and tested the device on sheep.
"We've shown in sheep that our device is best in class from a data and longevity standpoint, and now we've also shown that it's compatible with humans," Matt Angle, Paradromics founder and chief executive officer, told CNBC.
Last year, Elon Musk's Neuralink became the first to implant a brain-computer interface into a human patient. Noland Arbaugh, who was paralyzed in an accident in 2016, received "the Link" implant in January 2024. Since then, Arbaugh has been using it for up to eight hours a day and is able to do a variety of digital tasks.
Brain-computer interface companies Precision Neuroscience and Synchron, which is backed by Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, have also implanted their systems into humans. While brain-computer interfaces interpret neural signals associated with movement, they do not read thoughts.
Connexus, which is smaller than a dime and has 420 small electrodes, is embedded directly into the surrounding brain tissue. Paradromics' BCI records brain activity at the level of individual neurons.
"By having proximity to the individual neurons, you can get the highest-quality signal," said Angle.
The patient, who received last month's Connexus implant, was already undergoing neurosurgery to treat epilepsy and consented to the research, allowing doctors to temporarily implant the device into their temporal lobe.
"There's a very unique opportunity when someone is undergoing a major neurosurgical procedure," said Angle. "They're going to have their skull opened up, and there's going to be a piece of brain that will be imminently removed. Under these conditions, the marginal risk of testing out a brain implant is actually very low."
While Paradromics' Connexus implant is still being reviewed by regulators, research institutions such as the University of Michigan are allowed to use the devices as long as they prove there is no significant risk to the patient.
"You do all of these steps, you validate the hardware, you have this really high degree of rational certainty that things are going to work," Angle said, "but still emotionally when it works and when it happens the way you expected it to, it's still very, very gratifying."

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Newsweek

27 minutes ago

• Newsweek

Kroger To Close 60 Stores Across US: What To Know

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Kroger announced plans to close 60 of its supermarkets across the United States over the next 18 months, representing about 5 percent of the Cincinnati-based company's 1,239 Kroger-branded grocery stores across 16 states. The popular grocery retailer revealed the closure plans while reporting first-quarter earnings on Friday but has not specified which store locations will be affected or released a list of impacted stores. Newsweek reached out to Kroger on Saturday via email for comment. Why It Matters Companies close store locations for various reasons. While shifts in consumer shopping behavior and lower demand can cause stores to close, corporations often choose to shutter underperforming locations. Sales dropped slightly to $45.1 billion compared to $45.3 billion for the same period a year earlier according to Kroger earnings data. The move comes as grocery retailers nationwide face mounting pressures from changing consumer habits, inflation, and increased competition from discount chains and online retailers. More than 2,500 store closures are planned across the U.S. this year, according to The Mirror. What To Know Kroger expects the 60 store closures to provide a modest financial benefit to the company, according to a regulatory filing. In the first quarter, Kroger recognized an impairment charge of $100 million related to the planned closings. The company indicated that resulting savings will be reinvested into customer experience initiatives across remaining locations. The closures affect Kroger's extensive footprint spanning 16 states, though the company has remained tight-lipped about specific locations. The grocery retailer told CBS MoneyWatch that it will not be releasing a list of the affected stores. This lack of transparency has left employees and customers uncertain about which communities will lose their local Kroger. However, Kroger says it is committed to supporting displaced workers. All employees at affected stores will be offered roles at other Kroger store locations, though details about relocation assistance or wage protection remain unclear. The timing coincides with broader challenges facing traditional grocery retailers. Many chains are grappling with rising operational costs, changing shopping patterns accelerated by the pandemic, and fierce competition from warehouse clubs, dollar stores, and e-commerce platforms. FILE - This June 17, 2014, file photo, shows a Kroger store in Houston. Kroger Co. FILE - This June 17, 2014, file photo, shows a Kroger store in Houston. Kroger Co. AP Photo/David J. Phillip What People Are Saying Kroger company statement: "As a result of these store closures, Kroger expects a modest financial benefit. Kroger is committed to reinvesting these savings back into the customer experience, and as a result, this will not impact full-year guidance." Director of Media Relations/Corporate Communications Erin Rolfes told Newsweek in an email response: "In the first quarter, Kroger recognized an impairment charge of $100 million related to the planned closing of approximately 60 stores over the next 18 months." Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, previously told Newsweek: "For some major retailers, 2025 is becoming a year of consolidation. Retail locations that have struggled in recent years to remain profitable due to rising costs and less demand are being shuttered, as companies focus their efforts on more successful stores. The hope is these closures will ultimately produce more fiscal and operational efficiency, but it will come at the cost of customers who favored these locations having fewer options." Michael Ryan, a finance expert and the founder of previously told Newsweek: "These aren't random casualties; they're strategic amputations of unprofitable limbs to save the corporate $15+ minimum wages to supply chain inflation, all crushing their razor-thin margins. Combine this with the march of e-commerce and changing consumer habits post-pandemic, physical retail becomes a luxury many companies can no longer afford." What Happens Next The 18-month closure timeline suggests Kroger will implement the plan gradually, though specific dates and locations remain undisclosed.

UPI

44 minutes ago

• UPI

NIH office to phase out HIV guidelines by next year

The National Institutes of Health office responsible for issuing federal guidelines related to treatment of HIV and AIDS patients in the United States is making major changes. File Photo by Annabelle Gordon/UPI | License Photo June 21 (UPI) -- The National Institutes of Health office responsible for issuing federal guidelines related to treatment of HIV and AIDS patients in the United States is making major changes. The NIH Office of AIDS Research or OAR told its employees this week it intends to phase out the guidelines by next June, the Washington Post reported, citing an internal staff email. According to the office, OAR "coordinates HIV/AIDS research across the National Institutes of Health and provides the largest public investment in HIV/AIDS research globally." "In the climate of budget decreases and revised priorities, OAR is beginning to explore options to transfer management of the guidelines to another agency within" the letter obtained by The Post reads. The OAR guidelines contain guidelines related to diagnosis and treatments of HIV and AIDS. There are currently more than 1 million people living with HIV in the United States. It was not immediately clear what the other agency referred to in the letter was or how such a move may affect the guideline, the Post reported. The news comes as President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio move to cut over $8 billion from the U.S. Agency for International Development, USAID and merge it into the State Department. State Department officials say the move comes with the expectation that other countries will increase their roles in delivering aid around the world. An April report published in the Lancet medical journal found around half a million children globally could die from AIDS by 2030 if the United States cuts its global relief funding. Earlier this week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved use of the HIV drug lenacapavir, which is produced by California-based biopharma firm Gilead Sciences under the name Yeztugo. "Yeztugo is one of the most important scientific breakthroughs of our time and offers a very real opportunity to help end the HIV epidemic," Gilead Science Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Daniel O'Day said in a statement on the company's website

Time Business News

an hour ago

• Time Business News

Shaping the Future of Leadership: The Strategic Role of C-Suite Executive Recruiters in NYC's Innovation Economy

New York City is more than just a business hub—it's a breeding ground for innovation. From fintech startups in Flatiron to global media empires headquartered in Midtown, the city pulses with disruption, reinvention, and opportunity. But behind every transformative business model is a leadership team equipped to execute with clarity and conviction. That's why C-suite executive recruiters in NYC have become indispensable partners to organizations looking to build forward-thinking, high-impact leadership teams. As NYC continues to position itself as a global leader in technology, sustainability, life sciences, and AI-driven enterprise, the profile of its executive leaders is shifting. Today's CEOs, CFOs, CMOs, and CTOs must not only bring proven management expertise—they must also possess the vision to navigate uncharted terrain. Traditional leadership search models aren't always equipped to address these evolving demands. That's where niche C-suite executive recruiters in NYC come in. These firms specialize in identifying talent who are not just functional leaders but are also fluent in innovation, adaptable to change, and capable of aligning with both investor expectations and market disruptions. NYC companies operate at breakneck speed. Whether in finance, media, health tech, or retail, market shifts happen rapidly—and leadership decisions must keep pace. But that doesn't mean companies can afford to cut corners when hiring for the C-suite. Every executive hire affects company culture, investor confidence, and long-term strategy. Executive recruiters mitigate this risk by offering both speed and precision. They leverage deep networks, proprietary search methodologies, and psychological assessments to vet candidates not only for technical fit, but also for values alignment and long-term leadership potential. In a city where the wrong hire can make headlines—and the right one can shape an industry—this level of rigor matters. One of the most valuable assets C-suite executive recruiters in NYC bring to the table is access to passive talent—executives who are not actively job-hunting but are open to compelling, strategically aligned opportunities. These individuals rarely respond to job postings or recruiter cold calls. Instead, they rely on trusted relationships and discreet introductions. Recruiters with long-standing reputations in NYC's leadership circles know how to initiate these conversations, build trust, and guide top candidates through complex, high-stakes transitions. Another area where modern C-suite recruiters are having a tangible impact is in advancing leadership diversity. In an increasingly global and socially conscious market, companies are under pressure to build executive teams that reflect the diverse perspectives of their customer base, employees, and investors. The best NYC-based recruiters proactively cultivate diverse candidate pipelines and advise companies on how to remove bias from their hiring processes. This not only strengthens brand reputation but also enhances business outcomes. Studies consistently show that diverse leadership teams drive better innovation and financial performance—a critical advantage in NYC's competitive sectors. As a leading name among C-suite executive recruiters in NYC, BCL Search brings a modern, strategic approach to leadership hiring. By combining deep market insight, long-standing industry relationships, and a highly personalized search process, they help companies build leadership teams that are not just ready for today—but equipped for the future. Whether you're seeking a transformational CEO or a digitally savvy CMO, BCL Search delivers the strategic partnership needed to secure world-class executive talent. TIME BUSINESS NEWS