Thursday, June 16, 2005

The Human Guinea-Pig Who Mastered Mind Control

By Nick Webster
The Mirror UK

In A scene that could have come straight out of a sci-fi movie, Matthew Nagle focuses on the computer screen and, by pure mind control, the cursor begins to move.

But the state-of-the-art technology that allows this to happen is no work of fiction.

Incredibly, thanks a tiny plug that has been inserted into his brain, Matthew, a quadriplegic, is fighting back against the paralysis which has left him in a motorised wheelchair and unable to breathe unaided.

And as well as moving the cursor, he can play simple games and operate a prosthetic hand, too.

The astonishing innovation has brought fresh hope and happiness to the 25-year-old American.

Matthew volunteered to be the first human guinea pig to try the implant, called BrainGate, and believes the technology will eventually help him to walk again.

"I know I'm going to beat this. I've been paralysed for 39 months so I can stick with it another two years, until they get it perfected," he says.

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