Pure science: Fully paralysed, completely locked-in ALS patient communicates using brain implants

Using brain-computer interface or electrodes implanted in the brain, German scientists have successfully enabled a fully paralysed ALS patient in a completely locked-in state with no voluntary muscle control, to communicate with full sentences. ThePrint’s Sandhya Ramesh explains the technology and the ethical concerns it raises. Subscribe to the Pure Science Telegram Channel https://t.me/PureScienceWithSandhyaRamesh Supplementary reading: Chaudhary, U., Vlachos, I., Zimmermann, J.B. et al. Spelling interface using intracortical signals in a completely locked-in patient enabled via auditory neurofeedback training. Nat Commun 13, 1236 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-28859-8 With new ‘brain-reading’ research, a once-tarnished scientist seeks redemption https://www.statnews.com/2022/03/22/niels-birbaumer-brain-computer-interface-research/