

Your Brain On... Brain-Computer Interfaces
16 snips May 7, 2025
Leigh Hochberg, a leader in neurotechnology at Massachusetts General Hospital, David Brandman, co-director of UC Davis Neuroprosthetics Lab, and neural engineer Sergey Stavisky explore groundbreaking advancements in brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). They discuss how BCIs restore speech and movement for individuals with paralysis, the ethical implications of neural data privacy, and the emotional journeys of patients involved in clinical trials. The conversation emphasizes the technology's potential while advocating for ethical and inclusive practices in this rapidly evolving field.
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Casey Harrell Speaks Again
- Casey Harrell regained speech through a brain-computer interface despite severe ALS paralysis.
- His first words with the device were, "Is this thing on?" showing the technology's emotional impact.
BCI Fear Rooted in Sci-Fi
- Society's fear of brain-computer interfaces stems from sci-fi myths like mind control.
- These fears are natural but can be alleviated by understanding the life-changing benefits for patients.
Continuous Early Disease Detection
- Brain-computer interfaces enable continuous early disease detection beyond prevention.
- This ubiquitous monitoring empowers people with unprecedented health insights and functional restoration.