Noland Arbaugh
{{Short description|First human recipient of a Neuralink implant}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}{{Infobox person
| name = Noland Arbaugh
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth based on age as of date|30|2024|05|16}}
| birth_place = Yuma, Arizona, U.S.
| other_names =
| occupation =
| known_for = First human recipient of a Neuralink brain-computer interface implant
}}
Noland Arbaugh (born {{birth based on age as of date|30|2024|05|16|noage=1}}) is an American quadriplegic known for being the first human recipient of Neuralink's brain-computer interface (BCI) implant. He gained attention for his use of the device to regain digital autonomy after a spinal cord injury left him paralyzed.
Early life and education
Arbaugh was born in Yuma, Arizona. He was a student and athlete at Texas A&M University. In 2016, while working as a summer camp counselor at the Island Lake Camp in Starrucca, Pennsylvania, Arbaugh experienced a swimming accident and suffered a severe spinal cord injury that led to quadriplegia, paralysis from the shoulders down.{{cite web |last1=Sepulveda |first1=Laura Daniella |last2=Slade |first2=Shelby |date=March 21, 2024 |title=Arizona native Noland Arbaugh is first Neuralink patient: what to know |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2024/03/21/arizona-native-noland-arbaugh-first-neuralink-patient/73052596007/ |access-date=8 May 2024 |website=Arizona Republic |publisher=}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2024-05-16/neuralink-s-first-patient-describes-living-with-brain-implant |title=Neuralink's First Patient: 'It Blows My Mind So Much' |date=May 16, 2024 |work=Bloomberg Businessweek |last=Vance |first=Ashlee |author-link=Ashlee Vance}}
Neuralink brain-computer interface
On January 28, 2024,{{cite web |date=January 30, 2024 |access-date=October 21, 2024 |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/neuralink-implants-brain-chip-first-human-musk-says-2024-01-29/ |website=Reuters |title=Elon Musk's Neuralink implants brain chip in first human}} Arbaugh became the first person to receive a brain chip implant product called telepathy which was developed by Neuralink, a neurotechnology company. The procedure to install it was at the Barrow Neurological Institute, a neurological disease treatment and research institution.
= Post-surgery experience =
Arbaugh reported that the surgery was straightforward and that he was released from the hospital the following day without cognitive impairments.
According to a nine minute impromptu interview posted on the social media service X, Arbaugh said that the technology provided by Neuralink had changed his life despite running into "some issues" as part of the surgery and installation. The implant allows him to control a computer cursor with his thoughts, enabling him to perform digital tasks.{{cite web |date=May 9, 2024 |title=Neuralink's brain chip encounters issues post surgery, says Elon Musk's company |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/neuralinks-brain-chip-encounters-issues-post-surgery-says-elon-musks-company/articleshow/109979202.cms |access-date=May 8, 2024 |website=Times of India |publisher=}}{{cite web |date=May 9, 2024 |title=Elon Musk's Neuralink responds to 'Brain-Implant' malfunction, implications for FDA approval and future trials |url=https://www.livemint.com/technology/tech-news/elon-musks-neuralink-responds-to-brain-implant-malfunction-implications-for-fda-approval-and-future-trials-11715256549954.html |access-date=May 8, 2024 |website=LiveMint |publisher=}} Despite encountering some issues with the chip, he has been able again to play games like The Battle of Polytopia, Civilization 6 and chess.{{Cite web |last=Al-Arshani |first=Sarah |date=March 22, 2024 |title=Video shows first Neuralink brain chip patient playing chess by moving cursor with thoughts |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2024/03/22/neuralink-brain-chip-patient-noland-arbaugh/73064257007/ |access-date=2024-05-09 |website=USA Today |language=en-US}}{{cite web |url=https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1lDxLlXLnlaxm |title=Broadcast by Example Organization |website=X (formerly Twitter) |date=2024-11-23 |access-date=2024-11-10}}
A month after the procedure, up to 85% of the Neuralink threads implanted in Arbaugh's brain had retracted and become unresponsive, degrading his ability to control external interfaces. In lieu of additional surgery to fix the problem, software updates were made that have allowed Arbaugh to regain some functions.{{Cite web |last=Winkler |first=Rolf |date=May 20, 2024 |title=Elon Musk's Neuralink Gets FDA Green Light for Second Patient, as First Describes His Emotional Journey|url=https://www.wsj.com/tech/neuralink-gets-fda-green-light-for-second-patient-as-first-describes-his-emotional-journey-a2707584|access-date=2024-05-20 |website=Wall Street Journal |language=en-US}}
Arbaugh has spoken publicly about his experience with the implant, providing updates on his progress and sharing insights through interviews and social media.{{cite web| url = https://www.elonx.net/neuralink-in-2024-the-year-of-noland-arbaugh-the-first-human-user-of-the-n1-chip/| title = Neuralink in 2024: The Year of Noland Arbaugh, the First Human User of the N1 Chip | last = Švancara| first = Vlastmil | date =2025-01-04| work = ElonX.net }}{{cite web| url = https://newmobility.com/noland-arbaughs-life-as-the-first-neuralink-recipient/| title = Noland Arbaugh's Life as the First Neuralink Recipient| last = Ruder| first = Ian | date =2024-09-16| work = New Mobility }}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Arbaugh, Noland}}
Category:People from Yuma, Arizona
Category:People with tetraplegia