At UMC Utrecht, an ALS patient has communicated through a brain implant for seven years. This tiny device, tested in daily practice, translates brain signals into computer-controlled actions. Even after complete paralysis, the patient was still able to communicate. The technology proved durable, although its effectiveness was reduced after seven years of ALS progression. This success shows the potential for long-term support for patients with neurodegenerative diseases. UMC Utrecht’s research was published in the New England Journal of Medicine last week.
UMC Utrecht has made a significant step forward in communication support for patients with ALS. Thanks to an advanced neuroprosthesis, or Brain-Computer Interface (BCI), a woman could communicate for seven years despite her almost complete paralysis. This was made possible by sensors that pick up brain signals and convert them into commands for a computer.
Life-changing technology
The technology, developed by researchers at UMC Utrecht, is a breakthrough for patients in whom ALS has disabled virtually all muscle function. The prosthesis captures signals from the brain’s part that controls hand movements. The patient can simulate these movements with thoughts; then, the computer translates them into a mouse click. This allowed the woman with ALS to communicate independently, which is essential for alerting a caregiver.
Long-term effectiveness proven
The results, published in the prestigious journal New England Journal of Medicine, show that the prosthesis and support devices functioned for seven years. This is an important finding, as the durability of such communication methods in progressive neurodegenerative diseases has yet to be extensively studied. Frequency of use increased when control of an eye tracking system was lost and then gradually decreased from the sixth year after implantation.
No technical failure, but the progression of ALS
Interestingly, no technical defects were observed. Progressive atrophy, a direct consequence of ALS, eventually decreased the amplitude of neural signals. As a result, the interface became less effective after years of successful use. This highlights the complexity of using BCIs in neurodegenerative diseases[2].
Global impact of the study
The study was made possible partly by grants from renowned institutions such as the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research, and the Dutch government. The international composition of the research team, with members from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the University of Oxford, among others, highlights the global impact and recognition of this research.
Application of BCI in everyday practice
In addition to the success story of the Dutch, progress has also been made at UC Davis Health in the United States. There, a man with ALS has been able to “speak” again via a BCI that translates brain signals into speech with up to 97% accuracy. Technology has helped the patient communicate with those around him again after a long time. This technological advance shows that BCIs work in research laboratories and at home in patients’ everyday environments.
Emotional breakthrough and future potential
The impact of this technology on patients’ lives is enormous. As Sergey Stavisky, a neuroscientist at UC Davis, mentions, it is possible to detect the patient’s intention to speak and convert it into words. The moment the patient first saw his thoughts appear on the screen was emotional for both him and the research team.
Optimization and accuracy of BCI
UC Davis’ BCI achieved 99.6% word accuracy with a vocabulary of 50 words after only 30 minutes of training. With more extensive training, the vocabulary can be expanded to 125,000 words with over 90% accuracy. During 32 weeks, the system was used in 84 sessions over 248 hours, underscoring the reliability and usefulness of the technology in patients’ daily lives.
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