A California-developed brain implant has enabled a man who lost the ability to speak to communicate independently, browse the internet and work from home for nearly two years, a breakthrough researchers say could transform life for people with severe paralysis.
The findings, published in the journal Nature Medicine, focus on a 47-year-old man living with advanced amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. Researchers say the experimental brain-computer interface (BCI) can be used independently at home without assistance from researchers — a significant advance that could move the technology closer to everyday use for people with ALS and other neurological conditions that impair speech and movement.
Developed by researchers at UC Davis in collaboration with Brown University and Mass General Brigham Neuroscience Institute, the brain-computer interface uses implanted electrodes and advanced decoding software to translate brain signals associated with attempted speech into text while also allowing users to control a computer cursor…