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Implant links man's brain with computer

by Lori Wiechman
The Associated Press

ATLANTA - A Star Trek-type brain implant is allowing a paralyzed, mute
stroke victim to use his brainpower to move a cursor across a screen and
convey simple messages such as hello and goodbye.

Researchers believe the tiny implant, the size of the tip of a ballpoint
pen, is the first device that allows direct communication between the brain
and a computer.

"Of all things people lose, the ability to communicate is the most
frightening thing - to know what you want to say and not to be able to say
it," said Dr. Warren Selman, a neurosurgeon at University Hospitals of
Cleveland not involved in the research. "This is the first step to
unlocking that."

Doctors implanted a device into the 53-year-old man's brain that amplifies
his brain signals.

Those signals are then transmitted to a laptop computer through an
antenna-like coil placed on his head.

Like a computer mouse, the brain signals can move a cursor across the
computer screen and point at icons with messages such as "See you later.
Nice talking with you."

The man can also use the cursor to tell others that he is hungry or thirsty.

"It's like we're making the mouse the patient's brain," said Dr. Roy Bakay,
one of two Emory University doctors who developed the technology.

Eventually, researchers hope patients can use the technology to write
letters, send e-mail and turn room lights off and on.

The patient, identified only as J.R., suffered a brain-stem stroke and is
dependent on a ventilator at the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
His brain functions normally, but its signals do not reach the intended
destination.

Six months ago, Bakay and Dr. Phillip Kennedy implanted a tiny glass cone
into the man's brain. A substance that encourages nerves to grow prompted
the brain's nerves to link up to electrodes in the cone, forming what Bakay
calls "a little brain" inside the cone.

The electrodes can transmit electrical impulses produced by the brain to a
computer.

To train J.R.'s brain, researchers told him to think about grabbing a
glass. The cone is implanted in an area of the brain that can produce
signals designed to cause movement.

The first human patient, a woman suffering from Lou Gehrig's disease, was
able to control computer signals for 76 days before she died. J.R. is their
second patient.

Selman expressed caution about using the technology on anybody except
patients with long-term paralysis.