Wednesday, January 26, 2005

Devices Controlled by Thought Move Closer

By Belle Dumé
PhysicsWeb

Scientists in the US have shown that "electrocorticographic" signals from the brain can be used to manipulate an external device. The techniques developed by Daniel Moran of Washington University in St Louis, Eric Leuthardt from the Barnes-Jewish Hospital, also in St Louis, and colleagues could ultimately lead to artificial limbs that can be controlled by thought alone.

From studies on animals scientists know that specific nerve cells become active just before the animal makes a certain movement. By processing the electric signals from these cells it is possible to predict the movement before it is actually made. The same information could also be used to make an artificial limb perform the same movement.

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