Longevity of a Brain-Computer Interface for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

ABSTRACT: The durability of communication with the use of brain-computer interfaces in persons with progressive neurodegenerative disease has not been extensively examined. We report on 7 years of independent at-home use of an implanted brain-computer interface for communication by a person with advanced amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the inception of which was reported in 2016. The frequency of at-home use increased over time to compensate for gradual loss of control of an eye-gaze-tracking device, followed by a progressive decrease in use starting 6 years after implantation. At-home use ended when control of the brain-computer interface became unreliable. No signs of technical malfunction were found. Instead, the amplitude of neural signals declined, and computed tomographic imaging revealed

SUBMITTER: Vansteensel MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11395392 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature