BrainGate to Help Veterans with ALS Communicate
BrainGate: Robust Neural Decoding for Veterans with ALS
This project helps Veterans with conditions like ALS regain communication and independence by using a special brain interface system.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Providence VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11309544 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
For people with advanced ALS, losing the ability to speak and move can lead to a 'locked-in' state where communication becomes very difficult. Traditional communication devices often stop working as the disease progresses, but brain-computer interfaces offer a new path by directly reading brain signals. This project builds on the BrainGate system to give Veterans wireless control over computers and tablets using their thoughts. Participants will have tiny sensors placed in their brain's movement area and will take part in regular sessions from their homes to help refine this technology.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are Veterans or other individuals with ALS who are experiencing severe paralysis and loss of speech, particularly those near the Providence VA Medical Center.
Not a fit: Patients with early-stage ALS or other conditions not involving severe paralysis and communication loss may not directly benefit from this specific intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this technology could restore vital communication and independence for individuals living with severe paralysis, including those with advanced ALS.
How similar studies have performed: This project expands upon significant prior progress made with the investigational BrainGate Neural Interface system.
Where this research is happening
Providence, United States
- Providence VA Medical Center — Providence, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hochberg, Leigh R — Providence VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Hochberg, Leigh R
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.