Maybe they could bypass the muscles and power computer communication devices directly from the brain. Following years of research, the strategy, reminiscent of a science fiction movie, is now starting to show promise in real life. An implanted patient, paralyzed from a stroke, recently appeared to show some success following hours of training. Good talking with you. Other researchers are developing an electrode system that they hope will pick up electrical impulses from large numbers of brain cells.
Plans are underway to test the system in monkeys.
Several research groups also are studying nonsurgical techniques that indirectly pick up brain activity from outside the brain. This strategy relies on electrodes placed on the scalp that detect specific variations in the chatter of electric impulses elicited by large numbers of brain cells. One group trained four patients with locked-in syndrome from Lou Gehrig's disease to compose messages with a computerized spelling device. Following hundreds of training sessions, the patients learned to produce a certain electric impulse variation. A translating system then allowed them to slowly select letters on a computer screen by initiating the signal.