To move the cursor of a computer by the thought, it is now possible. Two people paralyzed have succeeded in controlling the pointer of a mouse on a computer screen, thanks to an array of microelectrodes forming what scientists call “brain prostheses”. The electrodes are placed directly in the motor cortex of the brain, an area responsible for generating and controlling movements. The patients thus imagined a trajectory and were able to move the cursor quickly and precisely.
Both of these people have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Charcot’s disease, a neurodegenerative disease that affects the neurons responsible for motor skills until total paralysis.
The experiment was carried out by a team of neurosurgeons from Stanford University (United States). In their study published this week in the scientific journal Nature Medicine, the researchers explain that “brain prostheses have the potential to improve the quality of life of paralyzed patients by translating brain activity into a computer signal“.
This study is part of the BrainGate2 project, which brings together many scientists who are developing technologies aimed at restoring communication, mobility and independence in people with neurological diseases. Indeed, technologies using brain prostheses could make it possible to control everyday devices, or even to control arm movements or legs.
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Paralysis: electrical stimulation to walk again
Charcot’s disease: the software used by Stephan Hawkins available in open source
Paralysis: a monkey moves the arm of another with its thought
Video: a paraplegic walks again with electrodes
