In a remarkable display of technology, 48-year-old Lee Marten, a Vancouver Police Department sergeant on leave, controls a computer cursor with his mind through a Neuralink brain implant. Marten, one of the first Canadian ALS patients to undergo this procedure at Toronto Western Hospital, types faster than human fingers using the implant.
The Neuralink brain implant, owned by Elon Musk, is being tested on individuals with ALS or spinal injuries who have lost mobility. Marten, now the 26th person worldwide to receive the implant, views this as an opportunity to enhance his quality of life and contribute to scientific advancements.
Marten’s journey began in 2022 when his symptoms surfaced, initially attributed to a brain tumor. Despite surgery in 2024, his condition worsened, leading to the devastating ALS diagnosis. As the disease progresses, Marten faces the prospect of losing his ability to move, speak, and breathe independently.
Marten’s wife, Lisa, signed him up for the Neuralink trial, hoping it would enable him to communicate through a computer when speaking becomes impossible. The procedure involves inserting over 1,000 electrodes into the brain’s motor cortex with the aid of a specialized robot.
While the hospital faced criticism for collaborating with Neuralink, Dr. Andres Lozano defended the decision, emphasizing the potential benefits for patients. Marten’s surgery, which introduced a new procedure without removing the protective brain layer, was successful, and he quickly engaged with the technology post-surgery.
Despite the challenges ahead, Marten remains positive, aiming to create playlists for his children and engage in activities with them using the Neuralink device. His resilience in the face of ALS reflects a determination to adapt and contribute despite the disease’s toll on his body and abilities.