Neuroreport · 1998 · 469 citations · 8 references
Patients with severe paralysis of limbs, face, and vocal apparatus may be intelligent and aware yet unable to communicate. The study describes a communication link for a locked‑in patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Action potentials were recorded over several months using an electrode that promotes myelinated fiber growth into its tip. The patient could control neural signals on/off, marking a step toward direct environmental control and indicating that paralyzed muscles might be restored via signal‑driven muscle stimulators.
PATIENTS with severe paralysis of limbs, face and vocal apparatus may be intelligent and aware and yet, tragically, unable to communicate. We describe a communication link for such a 'locked-in' patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We recorded action potentials in her brain over several months by means of an electrode that induces growth of myelinated fibers into its recording tip. She was able to control the neural signals in an on/off fashion. This result is an important step towards providing such patients with direct control of their environment by interfacing with a computer. Additionally, it indicates that restoration of paralyzed muscles may be possible by using the signals to control muscle stimulators.
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