Current Issue 2: Paralyzed Man Uses Thoughts to Move a Cursor

Paralyzed Man Uses Thoughts to Move a Cursor Jul 13th 2006 Written by Andrew Pollack The New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/13/science/13brain.html?_r=1&oref=slogin This discovery if successful holds great implications for education, communication, and quality of life for those suffering from paralysis. For the physically impaired it ignites a new hope granting another realm of physical control in ones life that was thought to be incapacitated with the loss of their bodily movement This article draws on images from the matrix to describe how Mr. Nagle was able to control a computer, robot, and remote control with his thoughts. This new development works by inserting a tiny sensor into the brain and hooking the person directly to a computer through use of a cable. The imagination of movement ignites electrical signals in the brain which in turn control the thoughts of movement in the technology. Not quite as violent as the rugged cord-like mechanism thrust into the back of Neo’s neck. Yet, we are still awed by the implications this has for those who have highly limited mobility due to spinal chord injuries. Mr. Nagle was able to open email, draw, move a cursor and play a game. The article states that studies show that people with full use of mobility average one second in dragging a cursor to a targeted spot on the computer. In contrast Mr. Nagle was able to hit a targeted spot with a common time of 2.5 seconds. Although movement of the cursor was not highly controlled, the roughness decreased with increased practice. With all new findings there is always room for development. This study indicates that brain signals that were thought to be inactive with physical disability are yet still alive. Although the tiny sensors lose the ability to detect the sensors after several months, scientists are hoping to eradicate this problem and ultimately to emit these signals wirelessly. For now, it takes a half our each day for Mr. Nagle’s device to be calibrated. There are no cost associations at this time.