Jaimie Henderson, a Stanford neurosurgeon at the forefront of brain-machine interfaces, discusses the groundbreaking potential of neural prosthetics for those with brain and spinal cord injuries. He shares inspiring stories of individuals regaining abilities previously thought lost, including communication and movement. The conversation highlights advancements like deep brain stimulation devices and silicon microelectrode arrays that decode brain activity. Henderson also honors the legacy of Krishna Shenoy, emphasizing the power of collaboration in revolutionizing neuroscience.
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Brain Injuries Are Underrecognized and Repairable
Traumatic brain injury affects about 2% of Americans, causing long-lasting cognitive and functional impairments.
Traditional views held brain damage as irreparable, but new research is beginning to challenge this notion.
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Patient Reading Restored After Brain Injury
A woman with an 18-year-old brain injury regained the ability to read novels after activation of a deep brain stimulator.
Many patients feel unseen deficits persist even after appearing recovered to others.
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Targeting Thalamus With Deep Brain Stimulation
Deep brain stimulation targets the thalamus to increase attention and arousal in brain injury patients.
The stimulation is cycled on during the day and off at night to avoid insomnia and maximize benefit.
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The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is a poignant and inspiring memoir written by Jean-Dominique Bauby, who was the editor-in-chief of French Elle magazine. After a massive stroke in December 1995, Bauby was diagnosed with locked-in syndrome, leaving him completely paralyzed except for his ability to blink his left eye. Using this limited means of communication, he dictated the entire book over several months. The memoir chronicles his life before and after the stroke, his experiences in the hospital, and his vivid imagination and memories that allowed him to 'fly' in his mind despite his physical confinement. The book is a testament to the human spirit's ability to overcome even the most dire circumstances and is filled with Bauby's wit, sarcasm, and deep insights into life and human connection.
Imagine being trapped in your own body, unable to move or communicate effectively. This may seem like a nightmare, but it is a reality for many people living with brain or spinal cord injuries.
We're re-releasing one of our favorite episodes from the archives: our 2024 conversation with Jaimie Henderson, a Stanford neurosurgeon leading groundbreaking research in brain-machine interfaces. Henderson shares how multiple types of brain implants are currently being developed to treat neurological disorders and restore communication for those who have lost the ability to speak.
We also discuss the legacy of the late Krishna Shenoy and his transformative work in this field.
This episode was produced by Michael Osborne at 14th Street Studios, with sound design by Morgan Honaker. Our logo is by Aimee Garza. The show is hosted by Nicholas Weiler at Stanford's Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute and supported in part by the Knight Iniative for Brain Resilience.
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