China’s Neurotechnology Breakthrough Restores Movement in Paralysed Patients, Challenging Elon Musk’s Neuralink

For decades, spinal cord injuries leading to paralysis were considered irreversible. Even the most advanced brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), such as those pioneered by Elon Musk’s Neuralink, operated on the assumption that a patient’s paralysed limbs were beyond natural recovery. However, a groundbreaking clinical trial led by China’s Fudan University has shattered that belief, demonstrating that paralysis can, in fact, be reversed.

In a remarkable breakthrough, four paralysed patients regained control of their legs within just 24 hours of undergoing a minimally invasive surgery. Within weeks, they were walking independently, and more importantly, their nerve functions were being restored. Unlike Neuralink’s technology, which connects the brain to external robotic devices, China’s brain-spinal interface has enabled the body's own nervous system to rewire itself.

The key to this achievement lies in a set of electrode chips implanted into the brain and spinal cord. These chips act as a “neural bypass,” reconnecting the severed communication pathways between the brain and body. Instead of merely controlling prosthetics, this method sparks what scientists call “neural remodelling,” a process that stimulates natural nerve regeneration, potentially eliminating the need for long-term technological assistance.

The success of this approach was evident in the first patient, a 34-year-old man who had been paralysed after a severe fall. Following his surgery on January 8, he was able to lift his legs within 24 hours. By the second week, he could step over obstacles with support, and within a month, he was walking several meters. The other three patients, who underwent surgery in February and March, also experienced similar recoveries.

What makes this achievement even more significant is the speed of neural remodelling. In previous studies conducted in Switzerland, patients showed signs of neural regeneration around six months after surgery. In contrast, the Chinese trial saw these effects emerging within just two weeks. This suggests that the new generation of brain-spinal interfaces developed in China is not only more effective but also less damaging to the body.

Moreover, all the instruments and implants used in these surgeries were developed and manufactured in China, marking a major leap in the country’s medical innovation. According to researcher Jia Fumin, who led the project, this achievement represents an entirely new class of brain-spinal interface solutions—one that could redefine the treatment of paralysis worldwide.

China’s rapid advancements in neurotechnology are narrowing the gap with the United States, which currently leads global health sciences research. With 3.74 million spinal cord injury patients in China alone and 90,000 new cases every year, this breakthrough could be life-changing for millions. Scientists believe that with continued development and long-term rehabilitation, this technology could permanently free patients from reliance on external devices, offering a real chance at recovery.

For the first time, paralysis is no longer a life sentence—it is a condition that can be reversed.