News Summary

Synchron, a New York-based startup, is making significant strides in the brain-computer interface (BCI) industry, positioning itself as a strong competitor to Neuralink. The company has developed an experimental BCI that allows users to control devices using their thoughts. Mark Jackson, a 65-year-old man living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), is one of the ten participants in a feasibility study testing this technology. Despite being paralyzed, Jackson can send text messages, write emails, and play computer games using the BCI, which decodes his brain signals. The device, known as the Stentrode, is implanted in the jugular vein and connects to the motor cortex of the brain, enabling users to regain a degree of autonomy lost to conditions like ALS. Synchron’s advancements offer hope and new possibilities for individuals suffering from neurodegenerative diseases.