Laboratory studies have shown the potential for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), who cannot move or speak, to communicate using a brain-computer interface (BCI). In the first study of independent in-home use by a group of these patients, the brain wave-based BCI system was found to be reliable; and of the eight individuals who completed the study, seven chose to keep the device for future use.

Laboratory studies have shown the potential for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), who cannot move or speak, to communicate using a brain-computer interface (BCI). In the first study of independent in-home use by a group of these patients, the brain wave-based BCI system was found to be reliable; and of the eight individuals who completed the study, seven chose to keep the device for future use.

First in-home test of brain-computer communication by ALS patients offers promise amidst challenges

Attrition due to disease severity complicates results, but most users kept device for continued use

Left: A home user operating the BCI. Right: BCI operation illustrated with the email application. The 72-item matrix of possible selections (letters, numbers, functions) is equivalent to a full keyboard. To make a selection, the user pays attention to the desired item as groups of items flash in rapid succession. The email message appears at the top. A predictive speller option is below the email. After spelling "hel," the user can complete the word "hello" quickly by selecting the numeral "1." Credit: Jonathan R. Wolpaw