A novel endovascular brain-computer interface (BCI) is safe and effective, allowing paralyzed patients to use their thoughts to perform daily tasks, results of a small, first-in-human study show.
A potential life changer for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the minimally invasive device enables patients to carry out important activities of daily living.
"Our participants are able to use the device to perform tasks like sending email, texting loved ones and caregivers, browsing the web, and doing personal finances such as online banking," study investigator Douglas J. Weber, PhD, professor of mechanical engineering and neuroscience, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, told a press briefing.
The technology allowed one patient to write a book (due out later this year) and another patient to maintain communication despite losing his ability to speak, the study's lead investigator, Bruce Campbell, MBBS, PhD, professor of neurology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Australia, told Medscape Medical News.
"In addition to providing patients with communicative capabilities not possible as a result of their disease, it is our goal to enable patients to be more independently involved in their care going forward, by enabling effective and faster communication directly with their caregiver and physician," said Campbell.
The findings will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) 2022 Annual Meeting, which begins Saturday and runs through April 7.
