Completely 'locked-in' patients can communicate
Patients with absolutely no control over their body have finally been able to communicate, say scientists.
A brain-computer interface was used to read the thoughts of patients to answer basic yes-or-no questions. One man was able to repeatedly refuse permission for his daughter to get married.
The study on four patients in Germany- published in PLOS Biology - also showed they were happy despite the effects of being "locked-in". The patients all had advanced forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, in which the brain loses the ability to control muscles. It eventually traps people in their own body - they are able to think, but incapable of moving or talking. When they become "locked in", it can still be possible to develop ways of communication using eye movements.
