The BBC reported this week on a potentially life-changing piece of research recently published in the Journal of Neural Engineering. You can read
The article directly here: http://iopscience.iop.org/1741-2552/8/3/036004.
The research was led by Dr Brian Pasley at the University of California, Berkeley. The researchers were keen to establish if particular brain waves involved in processing sound could be ‘translated’ into words. The hope would be that communication abilities could be restored to individuals who are effectively non-verbal due to extremely severe communication difficulties.
The researchers found that by attaching sensors to the part of the brain responsible for processing sound, and by playing the patients a series of words, they were able to see specific patterns of electrical signals and neural activity that corresponded to the words. When a computer was used to interpret and reconstruct these signals and patterns, the researchers found that they could effectively ‘hear’ the words. You can read the BBC’s interpretation and actually hear these words – which sound as if they are being spoken underwater – via the BBC at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16831891
Some individuals develop extremely severe communication difficulties following stroke, brain injury or deterioration of a progressive neurological condition. ‘Locked-In Syndrome’ is a particularly devastating condition that leaves the individual entirely cognitively awake and aware, but unable to make any physical movement. Establishing a successful means of communication is often particularly difficult as typically the only residual movement is that of one eye, necessitating development of a communication system involving eye-blinking. The researchers hope that their study is proof of principle, and may be the first steps towards developing a neurological implant that could significantly improve the communication abilities for such individuals. Co-author Professor Knight cites Stephen Hawking as an example – stating that development of such a system could potentially significantly improve Mr Hawking’s ability to express himself.
The BBC has drawn parallels with Orwellian-style ‘mind-reading’ – noting that if this technology were to be developed, it could potentially be used in an unethical manner. In the shorter term however, the potential improvements in quality of life for individuals with severe communication difficulties are great.
If you think that a friend or relative may benefit from speech and language therapy, Integrated Treatment Services could be of help. Contact us here:　https://integratedtreatmentservices.co.uk/contact-us/enquiry
Sarah Bennington, February 2012
Written on behalf of Integrated Treatment Services. Integrated Treatment Services is a private Speech and Language Therapy service based in Leicestershire and the East Midlands. It specialises in providing highly-skilled Speech and Language Therapists, but also associates with other therapeutic professionals, including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Psychologists and Arts Therapists.
