team creates and tests the devices that are ushering in a new era of transformative neurotechnologies. Using a baby aspirin-sized array of electrodes implanted into the brain, early research from the BrainGate team has shown that the neural signals associated with the intent to move a limb can be “decoded” by a computer in real-time and used to operate external devices. This investigational system, called BrainGate (Caution: Investigational Device. Limited by Federal Law to Investigational Use.) has allowed people with spinal cord injury, brainstem stroke, and ALS to control a computer cursor simply by thinking about the movement of their own paralyzed hand.

Current research is focused not only on improving the ability to operate a computer, but also on providing people with ALS, spinal cord injury, and stroke with reliable, constant control over their environment. The technology may ultimately give “natural” control over advanced prosthetic limbs, provide people with paralysis easy control over powerful assistive movement and communication devices, and, eventually, enable naturally-controlled movements of paralyzed limbs. In addition, we are developing a new generation of wireless medical technologies that will be able to record and monitor neural activity to assist in the diagnosis and management of neurologic disease.