Brain-Computer Interface Advances

Scientists at Cyberkinetics, a Foxborough, Massachusetts company working on brain-computer interface technologies, have tested their BrainGate system on the first patient who is quadriplegic and also unable to speak due to a brain stem stroke. Three patients so far have tried the system, which consists of a plug directly into the brain connected to a computer, allowing patients to move a cursor using only thoughts.

"The results from the third participant are particularly significant because we have begun to replicate the intuitive control of a computer mouse," stated John P. Donoghue, Ph.D., a founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Cyberkinetics and Director of the Brain Science Program at Brown University. "Such control, including the ability to 'stop' the computer cursor, for example, is directly related to a person’s ability to stop other electronically controlled devices, such as a motorized wheel chair. The new data expands our previous results showing that we are able to obtain neural signals in additional participants. We believe these findings are leading to a day when this technology can be used to improve the lives of those who are paralyzed."

Previous Wired News coverage here and here.