From Our Neurons to Yours Best of: How neural prosthetics could free minds trapped by brain injury | Jaimie Henderson
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May 29, 2025 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.
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.
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.
