Brain-Controlled Cursor Doubles as a Neural Workout
From: UW News - 02/15/2010
By: Hannah Hickey

University of Washington (UW) researchers have found that watching a computer
cursor respond to a person's thoughts prompts brain signals to become
stronger than those generated in everyday life. The research suggests that
the human brain can quickly learn how to control an external device such as a
computer interface or a prosthetic limb. The UW team studied epilepsy
patients with electrodes attached to the surface of their brains. Previous
research has shown that brain signals are weaker during imagined actions than
for actually performing the actions. However, when those imagined brain
signals were used to control a cursor on a computer screen, the brain signals
became stronger than those used to control real-life movements. "The rapid
augmentation of activity during this type of learning bears testimony to the
remarkable plasticity of the brain as it learns to control a non-biological
device," says UW professor Rajesh Rao. 

Read the entire article at:
http://uwnews.washington.edu/ni/article.asp?articleID=55693

Links:
Researchers demonstrate direct brain control of humanoid robot
http://uwnews.org/article.asp?articleID=28819

Research Shows Brain Can be Exercised by Controlling a Cursor with Thought
http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=17697

Rajesh Rao
http://www.cs.washington.edu/homes/rao/