Brain Software: Mind-reading Brain Implant could give Paralyses Man a Voice
Posted on November 19, 2007
Filed Under Life, Health
It is eight years since a car accident left Ramsey “locked-in” - aware but paralyzed and unable to communicate other than through eye movements. By listening in on a tiny population of cells in his brain, neuroscientists hope to give him back his “voice” - a first for someone with his problems.
- Ramsey had a wireless electrode implanted 6 millimeters or so below the surface of
his brain in 2004 . The electrode records the electronic pulses sent by 41 neurons that surround it in an area of the brain involved in generating speech. By analyzing the signals created when Ramsey imagines speaking, the team has developed software that may one day turn his thoughts into speech.
- For now, the team is focusing on the building blocks of words. In a series of experiments over the last few years, Ramsey has imagined saying three vowel sounds: “oh”, “ee” and “oo”.
- By watching his brain activity, the researchers have been able to identify distinct patterns associated with the different sounds. They believe that they can correctly identify the sound Ramsey is imagining around 80 per cent of the time.
- Over the coming weeks, a computer will begin analyzing and translating Ramsay’s thoughts into sounds that he will hear immediately - giving him feedback in real time.
- Over the coming weeks, a computer will begin analyzing and translating Ramsay’s thoughts into sounds that he will hear immediately - giving him feedback in real time.
- Ramsey is an ideal person to put this treatment to the test, since he was just 19 at the time of the accident, has a normal life expectancy and is capable of participating in several sessions a week.
Jonathan Brumberg from
documentation source: http://www.newscientist.com
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