June 23, 2009
Brainwaves To Help Patients Communicate
Scientists at France's Institute for Health and Medical Research (Inserm) are using a system called OpenVibe to help sufferers of locked in syndrome and to develop understanding of the human mind.
The condition known as locked-in syndrome has many causes but in most cases it leaves its victims fully conscious but unable to move or speak. OpenVibe responds directly to the electrical activity of the brain rather than rely on a part of the patient's body that still moves. According to Olivier Bertrand from Inserm, "the main application of this technology is to provide some disabled people with a communication aid, especially those who have very severe motor disorders. Using their brain, which is still perfectly functioning, as a way to communicate is a big hope for them getting in touch with the rest of the world."
OpenVibe is based on a grid of letters - to choose a letter the computer looks at brain activity to note the column and the row the user is looking at within the grid - the choices flash on the screen. Thus by crossing the information of which row and which column have been flashed it signals which letter is desired. The process is still slow and painstaking but software that predicts the patient's words could one day speed it up
Virtual movements
Similar technology is also being used at France's digital technology research centre Inria to turn thought into action in the virtual world. Patients are asked to imagine they are moving their hands, which stimulates the part of the brain that commands such movements. The brain activity is detected by electrical sensors and the movements are carried out virtually.
According to the researchers, OpenVibe could in the future not only help locked-in patients, but also people in a coma. These patients are often perceived as being beyond reach in terms of communication. Mr Bertrand points out that "we always think they are not able to communicate or they are not able to understand what we are telling them, but there are some indicators now from neuroscience research that they could have a way to understand our talk. Probably their brains would be able to react to this, even though they are not able to move."
Communication between man and machine will continue to improve as scientists further their own understanding of the brain's capabilities. Neuroscience offers a glimmer of hope for patients cut off from the people nearest to them.
Source: BBC Technology
Posted by rsk at June 23, 2009 03:52 PM