Brain-computer system allows ‘locked-in’ patients to communicate

Patients with ‘locked-in’ syndrome have been able to communicate with relatives through a newly developed brain-computer interface that reads the brain's blood oxygen levels. The breakthrough makes simple conversations possible by detecting patterns in the brain activity of the paralysed patients. A trial of the system on four patients in Germany with complete locked-in syndrome - incapable of moving even their eyes to communicate - read the thoughts of patients to answer basic yes-or-no questions. A non-invasive brain-computer interface (BCI) detected their responses by measuring changes in blood oxygen levels in the brain. The researchers said the system could transform the lives of ‘locked-in’ syndrome patients, allowing them to express feelings and opinions to their loved ones and carers. Counter to expectations, the scientists said, the patients reported being "happy" despite their condition. "The striking results overturn my own theory that people with ...