A completely paralyzed patient with ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, has regained his ability to communicate via a new brain implant, according to a study published by European researchers in Nature communications on Tuesday.
Why it matters: The number of people diagnosed with ALS is increasing every year and is projected to reach 300,000 by 2040. Treatment could also help patients in minimally conscious and comatose states, the New York Times reported.
Details: Two microchip implants have been inserted into the brain of a German patient, according to the study published by Ujwal Chaudhary and Niels Birbaumer. Then the patient was able to form words in full sentences with mental impulses.
Yes, but: Chaudhary and Birbaumer conducted similar experiments in 2017 and 2019, but both studies were withdrawn.
- An investigation by the German research foundation found that they did not show any relevant details of their analyzes and made false statements, writes the Times.
- The foundation said it would investigate the latest study, the Times reported.
What they kissed: Nature Communications declined to comment on how the study was conducted.
- “We have rigorous policies to protect the integrity of the research we publish, including ensuring that research is conducted to a high ethical standard and reported transparently,” a Times spokesman said.
Note: The treatment is expensive and experimental and has been tested on only one patient in the study.
Go deeper: Man with paralysis communicates about brain waves and groundbreaking study
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