Approximately 150+ people worldwide have received brain-computer interface implants as of 2026. These patients span six major clinical programs — Neuralink, Synchron, Blackrock Neurotech, Precision Neuroscience, BrainGate, and Paradromics — treating conditions from quadriplegia and ALS to epilepsy. This page tracks every known BCI patient cohort, the devices implanted, surgical methods used, and current trial status, sourced from clinical trial registries, published research, and company disclosures monitored by bciintel.com.
The table below tracks every major BCI company or research program with confirmed human implant recipients. Patient counts reflect publicly disclosed figures from clinical trial registries, peer-reviewed publications, and official company statements. Actual numbers may be higher due to undisclosed participants.
| Company | Device | Patients | Conditions | Method | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neuralink | N1 Implant | 12 | Quadriplegia, ALS | Invasive (surgical) | Active clinical trial |
| Synchron | Stentrode | 20+ | ALS, Paralysis | Endovascular (minimally invasive) | COMMAND trial |
| Blackrock Neurotech | NeuroPort | 40+ | Paralysis, Epilepsy | Invasive (Utah array) | Research + commercial |
| Precision Neuroscience | Layer 7 | 15+ | Epilepsy monitoring | Minimally invasive (cortical) | Clinical use |
| BrainGate | BrainGate2 | 35+ | Paralysis | Invasive (Utah array) | Long-running research |
| Paradromics | Connexus | 3 | Paralysis | Invasive (high-bandwidth) | Early clinical |
Brain-computer interfaces currently target a focused set of neurological conditions where the clinical need is greatest and the technology can provide measurable benefit. The primary use case is restoring communication and digital device control for patients with severe motor impairment.
With 150+ patients implanted across six major programs, brain-computer interfaces have proven that direct neural control of digital devices is safe and effective. Patients are browsing the web, sending messages, playing games, and controlling robotic arms using only their thoughts.
The pace of implantation is accelerating. Neuralink is scaling its PRIME trial, Synchron is expanding COMMAND enrollment, and Precision Neuroscience is deploying Layer 7 in clinical settings. By 2028, the number of BCI patients could reach 1,000+ as clinical trials expand and the first commercial approvals emerge.
The era of brain implants for human augmentation has arrived.
Patient data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov registrations, peer-reviewed publications (Nature, NEJM, Science), company press releases, FDA filings, and bciintel.com's ongoing monitoring of BCI clinical programs. Patient counts are conservative estimates based on publicly confirmed figures. Last verified: April 2026.