Rapid Neural Typing Interface for Veterans with ALS
Funded at Providence VA Medical Center · NIH-11310812 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new brain–computer interface aims to let people with ALS type and control a computer more quickly by decoding imagined hand movements.
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 start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01RX004820-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11310812 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with ALS (including Veterans) who have paralysis and need assistive communication methods.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without advanced paralysis or those not using intracortical interfaces may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
This project focuses on developing an intuitive neural typing system that translates imagined finger and hand movements into on-screen actions, speeding up communication for Veterans with ALS. It leverages intracortical brain signals to enable direct control of a multi-row keyboard and trackpad actions. The approach builds on prior successes with decoding detailed hand movements to improve typing speed and accuracy for people living with paralysis. The goal is to dramatically improve daily communication and independence for ALS patients through higher-rate neural control.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could substantially improve communication and daily functioning for people with ALS who rely on assistive technologies.
How similar studies have gone: Past BrainGate work shows that decoded imagined hand movements can enable computer control, supporting potential success.
Where this research is happening
-
Providence VA Medical Center
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hochberg, Leigh R — Providence VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Hochberg, Leigh R
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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.