UAE-PRIME Trial: Neuralink and Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi Collaborate to Shape the Future of Neurological Care

Could you help us transform the future of neurological care? We are looking for participants to take part in the UAE-PRIME Trial, a groundbreaking study focused on advancing technology and improving the lives of those affected by paralysis.

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and in partnership with Neuralink, has launched the region’s first human brain-computer interface (BCI) study – the UAE-PRIME Trial.

BCIs, such as the Neuralink N1 Implant, allow individuals with total paralysis to control devices and interact with the digital world, using only their thoughts, restoring communication and independence.

Redefining neurological care, the study reflects Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s commitment to cutting-edge clinical innovation and life-changing patient outcomes and underscores our role as a regional and global leader in advanced neuroscience and digital health.

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is looking for people to take part in the study (see eligibility criteria below). If you want to learn more about the trial, and how we are contributing to the global advancement of BCI technology, please email: [email protected].

What is the Neuralink N1 Implant and how does it work?

The Neuralink N1 Implant is a fully implantable, wireless BCI designed to help individuals with paralysis control external devices using thought alone. The implant records brain signals via 1,024 electrodes distributed across 64 ultra-thin threads, each finer than a human hair. The threads are precisely inserted into motor areas of the brain using the Neuralink R1 Robot.

Once in place, the N1 transmits brain signals wirelessly to an external app that decodes these into digital commands. Together, the implant, robot and app form a BCI that allows direct communication between the brain and digital devices, using only thoughts.

What is the aim of the UAE-PRIME trial?

This study is a device safety and feasibility trial designed to monitor the Neuralink N1 Implant over a period of up to three years, with a focus on evaluating the implant’s safety and stability in a real-world environment.

Who is eligible for the UAE-PRIME trial?

Ideal candidates include adults (18+) with severe physical disabilities resulting in limited limb movement or speech. This may include people with:

• Tetraplegia or tetraparesis (partial or complete paralysis in both arms and legs)
• Chronic spinal cord injuries (sustained over a year ago)
• Long-term upper limb motor impairments following stroke
• ALS or other progressive neurodegenerative disorders
• Severe speech articulation impairments (inability to speak or form sentences).

Cognitive function must remain intact, with candidates able to produce motor-related thoughts or internal speech. All candidates will undergo a thorough screening process which will include psychological evaluations, brain imaging, and exclusion of major co-morbidities (such a traumatic brain injury, brain implants like VP shunts or DBS, uncontrolled diabetes, morbid obesity, or bleeding disorders).

What does the implantation procedure involve?

Implantation is a minimally invasive surgical procedure which involves a small skull opening, matching the size of the implant, over a specific area of the brain. This location is determined pre-operatively using neuro-navigation guided by a functional MRI. After exposing the brain, the sensor threads are robotically inserted into a small (2x2 cm) exposed area.

The entire procedure takes approximately 3 to 4 hours, during which all leads are placed, the implant is fixated into the skull, and the incision is closed. Patients are generally discharged the next day.

What happens after implantation?

After implantation, patients must begin daily training sessions using a mobile app to help the system learn how to interpret their thoughts. Patients are expected to:

• Use the device regularly at home
• Attend three research sessions per week
• Complete follow-up visits for up to three years After the first year, patients can choose to continue using, deactivate, or remove the implant based on medical outcomes and personal preferences. What are the potential benefits? Participants may experience significant improvements in independence and digital communication, including the ability to:
• Control computers and smartphones using only thoughts
• Communicate digitally through the app
• Reduce dependence on others for daily tasks.

For those with full-body paralysis, the trial represents a transformational shift in autonomy and engagement with the world.

For more details on Neuralink, please visit: Neuralink — Pioneering Brain Computer Interfaces.

To learn more about the UAE trial-PRIME, please email: [email protected].

For anyone outside the UAE wishing to participate in the trial, please visit Neuralink’s international patient registry: Patient Registry | Neuralink.