Human Studies Show Feasibility of Brain-Machine Interfaces
From: ScienceDaily - 03/24/2004

With funding from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the
National Institutes of Health, Duke University Medical Center researchers
have embarked upon initial human feasibility studies into a way to control
external devices by thought via a series of electrodes implanted within a
person's brain. The researchers used arrays of 32 microelectrodes to record
brain signals from 11 volunteer patients undergoing surgeries to relieve the
symptoms of Parkinson's disease and tremor disorders, while the patients
played a hand-controlled video game; the recorded brain signals could be used
to predict hand movement, which is necessary for the reliable neural control
of external devices. The research was co-directed by neurobiologist Miguel
Nicolelis, who conducted earlier experiments in which monkeys were trained to
operate a robot arm using brain signals. Nicolelis says the electrodes were
planted much deeper within the brains of the human subjects than they were in
the primate brains. Neurosurgeon Dennis Turner notes that this approach is
advantageous for several reasons: Brain signals are theoretically easier to
record from subcortical rather than cortical regions of the brain, and there
is a greater density of cells to record from in a smaller area. The Duke
researchers are now focusing on the development of a prototype
"neuroprosthetic" device with a wireless interface. Turner says there are
several potential applications for this technology, including a robotic limb
for quadriplegic patients, a thought-controlled electric wheelchair, and a
neurally-controlled keyboard with text or speech output; such technology
would be useful to paralysis victims as well as people with limited speech
capability. The researchers have requested federal authorization to perform
experimental long-term brain implants within quadriplegics, but they point
out that many years of development and clinical trials are necessary before
neuroprosthetics become available. 

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/03/040324071203.htm