A brain-machine interface to communicate with victims of acute injuries

A study published in Brain reveals that some patients with acute brain injuries can communicate through a brain-computer interface. Researchers from Columbia University tested 41 non-responsive patients using EEG sensors to detect brain activity. Despite being unable to respond physically, nearly one-third of the participants managed to control a computer using only their brain activity. This research highlights the potential for patients in vegetative states or with minimal consciousness to understand motor commands, a condition known as cognitive motor dissociation (CMD).