By Dean Murray via SWNS
The world’s first head transplant system has been unveiled.
Neuroscience and biomedical engineering startup BrainBridge has announced a mind-bending concept that would allow a head to be grafted onto a donor body.
The futuristic system would offer new hope to patients suffering from untreatable conditions such as stage-4 cancer, paralysis, and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
The whole-body procedure involves transplanting a patient’s head onto a healthy, brain-dead donor body, ensuring the preservation of consciousness, memories, and cognitive abilities.
BrainBridge says the process aims to be available within 8 years and would integrate advanced robotics and artificial intelligence to carry out the transplantation procedures.
The company adds it will also be able to conduct face and scalp transplantation to restore functionality and aesthetic appearance.
BrainBridge is recruiting and has listed roles for experts in several fields including brain-computer interfaces (BCI), as seen in Elon Musk’s Neuralink brain chip, robotic surgery and neuroscience.
The concept is the brainchild of Dubai-based project lead Hashem Al-Ghaili, a biotechnologist and science communicator.
He says: “Every step of the BrainBridge concept has been carefully thought out based on extensive scientific research that has been conducted and published by experts in various fields of science.
“The goal of our technology is to push the boundaries of what is possible in medical science and provide innovative solutions for those battling life-threatening conditions.
“Our technology promises to open doors to lifesaving treatments that were unimaginable just a few years ago.”
BrainBridge says: “The process employs advanced high-speed robotic systems to prevent brain cell degradation and ensure seamless compatibility.
“The entire procedure is guided by real-time molecular-level imaging and AI algorithms to facilitate precise reconnection of the spinal cord, nerves, and blood vessels.”
The process would include a comprehensive post-operative care schedule to promote healing and prevent rejection.
BrainBridge says one of the main objectives of presenting and popularising the concept at this early stage of development is “to attract top talent from around the world interested in pushing the boundaries of biomedical science and changing the world for the better.”
They say: “In the short term, we expect the project to result in spinal cord reconstruction breakthrough and whole-body transplant but in the long term, the project will expand into areas that will transform healthcare as we know it.”
Hashem Al-Ghaili says: “Assuming the team is fully assembled, and the feasibility study shows promising results, the roadmap to conducting the first surgery would be possible within 8 years.”
