Brain implant may enable communication from thoughts alone

A collaborative team from Duke University has developed a speech prosthetic that translates brain signals into speech, aimed at helping those with speech-impairing neurological disorders like ALS. This device, embedded with 256 brain sensors on flexible plastic, captures detailed brain activity related to speech, as reported in Nature Communications.

The prosthetic was tested on patients undergoing brain surgeries for other conditions. Participants engaged in a task involving repeating nonsense words, allowing the device to record brain activity linked to speech. This practical test demonstrated the device's potential in real-world clinical settings.

The initial trials showed promise in decoding speech from brain activity, though with some accuracy and speed limitations. This early-stage technology, spearheaded by researchers Gregory Cogan and Jonathan Viventi, marks a significant step in brain-computer interface development. Efforts are underway to enhance the device, including a cordless version, signaling a leap forward in communication aids for those with speech impairments.