Brain Implant Eases Communication by Late-Stage A.L.S. Patient

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http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/13/science/brain-implant-eases-communication-by-late-stage-als-patient.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FBrain&action=click&contentCollection=health&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=collection


Lou Gehrig's Disease, also known as ALS, is a terrible disease that degenerates the body causing muscles to weaken which can lead to paralysis and cause respiratory failure and the finally death. This article demonstrates how a patient suffering from this tragic illness is able to communicate using an implant that sends brain signals to software in a computer.

The Patient's name is Hanneke De Bruijne and due to her disease, is unable to move anything but her eyes. Researchers came together to create a device to help her communicate. They did this by surgically implanting a brain-computer interface to her motor cortex. Even though she is paralyzed, her brain is still generating electricity when she thinks about moving. This device detects these electrical signals and are able to project these thoughts to the computer that will communicate her needs.

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