People who are completely paralyzed due to illness or trauma are getting help communicating with a new technology that connects their brains to a computer, CBS reports on 60 Minutes. In the future, brain computer interface, or BCI, may restore movement to paralyzed people and allow amputees to move bionic limbs.


Courtesy: Brown University

Take a few minutes to watch the segment; it's fascinating. I tire easily of stories proclaiming the next miracle cure (that is still in cell culture and nowhere near drug trials), so actually watching scientific innovation in action was refreshing.

The paraplegic woman in the story controlled a cursor with her thoughts and was able to go online, get email and listen to music. You can read more about a clinical trial using this device here.



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