Brain Chips for ALS: How Synchron Is Changing Lives

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) strips away physical movement while often leaving the mind perfectly intact. For years, this meant patients became locked in their own bodies. However, a New York-based company called Synchron is changing that reality. Their implantable device allows patients to operate phones and computers using only their thoughts, offering a new lifeline for communication and independence.

The Stentrode: A Minimally Invasive Approach

The headline technology behind Synchron’s success is the “Stentrode.” Unlike other brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) that require open brain surgery, the Stentrode uses an endovascular approach. This is a massive shift in how we think about brain implants.

Most BCIs, such as those being developed by Elon Musk’s Neuralink, require a surgeon to cut into the skull and insert electrodes directly into the brain tissue. Synchron takes a different route. A surgeon inserts the Stentrode through the jugular vein in the neck. They thread it up into a blood vessel called the superior sagittal sinus, which sits right next to the motor cortex (the part of the brain that controls movement).

Because it travels through the blood vessels, there is no need to drill into the skull or damage brain tissue. The device expands like a typical heart stent to hold its position against the vessel walls. Once in place, it detects the electrical signals generated when the brain thinks about moving.

Controlling the Apple Vision Pro with Thought

One of the most recent and concrete examples of this technology in action involves a 64-year-old man named Mark. Mark suffers from ALS and has lost the ability to use his upper limbs. In a recent demonstration, he was able to use Synchron’s BCI to control an Apple Vision Pro headset.

Usually, the Apple Vision Pro relies on hand gestures for control, which is impossible for many ALS patients. It also uses eye-tracking, but eye movements can become unreliable as ALS progresses. By integrating Synchron’s system, Mark could bypass these physical requirements entirely.

Using only his thoughts, Mark was able to:

  • Move the cursor across the Apple Vision Pro interface.
  • Select apps and open specific programs.
  • Play a game of Solitaire.
  • Watch Apple TV.
  • Send text messages.

This integration proves that the device can work with consumer-grade electronics that are already on the market, rather than relying solely on specialized, custom-built medical computers.

How the System Translates Thought to Action

The process of turning a thought into a digital click sounds like science fiction, but the mechanism is grounded in established neurology. Here is how the Synchron Switch system actually works:

  1. The Intent: The patient thinks about moving a specific part of their body, such as tapping their foot or making a fist. They do not actually move, but the brain fires the electrical signals as if they were going to.
  2. The Pickup: The Stentrode sensors, sitting in the blood vessel next to the motor cortex, detect this specific electrical activity.
  3. The Transmission: A thin wire connects the Stentrode to a small receiver device implanted in the patient’s chest, very similar to a standard pacemaker.
  4. The Output: The chest receiver transmits the data via Bluetooth to an external device (phone, tablet, or computer). Algorithms interpret the brain signal and convert it into a digital command, such as a mouse click or a keystroke.

The COMMAND Trial and Safety Milestones

Synchron is currently ahead of many competitors regarding regulatory milestones in the United States. They received the FDA’s “Breakthrough Device Designation” and successfully completed enrollment for their U.S.-based COMMAND trial.

The COMMAND trial is critical because it assesses the safety and efficacy of the device in severely paralyzed patients. Early results have been promising. In previous studies involving four patients in Australia, the device showed a strong safety profile with no serious adverse events related to the implant itself.

One of the Australian participants, Philip O’Keefe, made history in December 2021 by becoming the first person to post a message on social media using a direct-to-brain interface. He posted a short tweet that read: “Hello, World! Short packet. No keystrokes. I created this tweet just by thinking it.”

Restoring Autonomy for ALS Patients

The primary goal of this technology is not just to show off cool tech but to restore basic human autonomy. For someone with advanced ALS, the inability to communicate is often the most devastating symptom.

By allowing patients to interface with standard digital ecosystems, Synchron enables them to:

  • Manage Personal Finances: Patients can log into banking apps and pay bills without relying on a caregiver to see their screen.
  • Social Connection: Texting family members, using WhatsApp, or engaging on social media helps reduce the profound isolation that comes with paralysis.
  • Emergency Contact: The ability to alert a caregiver or call for help via a digital device increases safety.
  • Environmental Control: If connected to a smart home system, the patient could potentially turn lights on or off, adjust the thermostat, or lock doors.

Comparison to Neuralink and Other Competitors

While Neuralink often dominates the headlines due to its high-profile founder, Synchron has taken a more pragmatic approach to getting a device into patients.

Neuralink uses a “sewing machine” robot to implant thousands of flexible threads directly into the brain. This offers a higher data transfer rate (bandwidth), which could theoretically allow for more complex movements in the future. However, it is invasive and carries the risks associated with open brain surgery.

Synchron focuses on safety and simplicity. The data bandwidth is lower than Neuralink’s, meaning it is better strictly for “click” and “select” actions rather than complex 3D motion control. However, because the surgery is similar to a routine cardiac stent procedure, it is easier to scale and likely easier to get approved by regulators for widespread use.

The Future of Neuroprosthetics

As of 2024, Synchron is preparing for larger-scale clinical trials. The company is also building a registry of potential patients and expanding its compatibility with different operating systems. The success of the Stentrode suggests that in the near future, paralysis will no longer mean digital silence. For ALS patients, the ability to text, shop, and scroll through the news with their minds is not just a convenience; it is a return to the world of the living.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Synchron brain chip available to the public yet? No, the device is not yet commercially available. It is currently in the clinical trial phase under FDA supervision. Synchron is collecting data to prove safety and effectiveness before applying for full market approval.

Does the surgery require drilling into the skull? No. Synchron’s Stentrode is inserted through the jugular vein in the neck using a catheter. It is an endovascular procedure, which is minimally invasive compared to traditional brain surgery.

Can the device cure ALS? No, the device does not treat or cure the underlying disease of ALS. It is an assistive technology designed to help patients bypass the physical limitations caused by the disease, allowing them to communicate and control digital devices despite paralysis.

How is the device powered? The internal unit implanted in the chest does not have a battery that needs surgical replacement. It receives power and transmits data wirelessly to an external unit that the patient wears or keeps nearby.

What happens if the patient needs an MRI? Compatibility with MRI machines is a major focus of the testing process. Patients in the trials are monitored closely, and current medical protocols for the device address imaging safety, but specific guidelines will be finalized upon FDA approval.