Sitting in his wheelchair, Lee Marten, a 48-year-old Vancouver Police Department (VPD) sergeant on leave, gazes at the computer screen in front of him, envisioning moving the cursor across it. Instantly, the arrow responds to his thoughts.
Marten efficiently uses the cursor to type on a digital keyboard, rivaling the speed of human fingers or even surpassing it. Within moments, the latest Toronto Blue Jays score appears on the screen.
“It may sound like something out of science fiction,” he remarked, “but here I am, and it works.”
On May 20, Marten made history as one of the initial Canadian ALS patients to undergo a Neuralink brain implant in a clinical trial at University Health Network’s (UHN) Toronto Western Hospital. He joins a select group of 26 individuals globally who have undergone this innovative procedure, designed for those incapacitated due to ALS or spinal injuries. Apart from Marten, two other Canadians with quadriplegia have also received the implant in Canada, while an American-Canadian ALS patient underwent the procedure in the U.S.
Neuralink, spearheaded by the controversial trillionaire Elon Musk, owns the technology, and the hospital has faced scrutiny for its involvement in the trial. Despite the criticisms, Marten views the implant as a pathway to enhancing his quality of life and contributing to scientific advancements that could benefit others.
“Receiving a terminal diagnosis doesn’t leave much to look forward to,” Marten expressed. “This might enhance the time I have left, enabling me to pave the way for others in similar situations.”
Marten’s journey to diagnosis commenced in April 2022 when symptoms emerged while he was serving on the VPD bike patrol, leading to mobility challenges. Initially attributed to a benign brain tumor, surgery in March 2024 did not alleviate his deteriorating condition. Three years post-initial symptoms, the grim diagnosis of ALS, a progressive and incurable condition, was confirmed.
Struggling to come to terms with his declining health, Marten, now confined to a wheelchair with limited hand mobility, faces the harsh reality of progressive paralysis, loss of speech, and eventual dependence on life support. His greatest sorrow lies in the realization that he may not witness his children, Rys and Carys, grow up.
Before his tenure at VPD, Marten served as a sheriff and dedicated 14 years to the Canadian Armed Forces as a reservist. Lisa, Marten’s wife, embarked on a quest for treatments upon noticing ads for Neuralink trials online, ultimately enrolling him in the study.
Selected for the procedure following a screening by the Neuralink team via Zoom, Marten approached the surgery with humor, likening himself to a futuristic “RoboCop” or “cyborg.” The Martens harbored hope that the implant would facilitate communication post-voice loss, aiding in crucial medical decisions.
The clinical trial, known as CAN-PRIME, hosted at UHN’s Toronto Western Hospital, forms part of a series of Neuralink studies worldwide, including locations in the U.S., U.K., and Abu Dhabi. The intricate procedure involves embedding over 1,000 hair-thin electrodes into the brain’s motor cortex using a specialized two-meter-tall robotic system, enhancing precision and efficacy.
Despite facing backlash for collaborating with Musk-owned ventures, UHN’s Toronto Western Hospital, led by Dr. Andres Lozano, emphasized stringent ethical scrutiny preceding the trial, emphasizing the potential of Neuralink technology to revolutionize patient care for paralysis-related conditions.
The day of Marten’s groundbreaking surgery ushered in a novel approach, bypassing the conventional brain protective layer, the dura, in favor of direct chip insertion through the dura using advanced robotic technology, a move heralded as a significant technological leap. The unforeseen change unsettled Lisa, while Marten remained resolute, embracing the pioneering procedure.
Post-surgery, as Marten navigates his recovery, exploring Toronto and adapting to the implant, he remains optimistic about the future. Engaging with Neuralink engineers and undertaking exercises to monitor the device’s functionality, Marten focuses on creating playlists for his children and anticipates playing video games with them, transcending physical limitations imposed by ALS.
“This illness strips away everything from you,” Marten reflected. “Yet, with resilience and adaptation, one can still make meaningful contributions.”
