The new corrective technique is based on a recently discovered understanding of how monkeys naturally perform arm movements.

'The speed and accuracy demonstrated in this prosthesis results from years of basic neuroscience research and from combining these scientific discoveries with the principled design of mathematical control algorithms.' Brain dynamics 'Brain-controlled prostheses will lead to a substantial improvement in quality of life,' Shenoy said. The thought-controlled keypad would allow a person with paralysis or ALS to run an electronic wheelchair and use a computer or tablet. The system is intended for people with paralysis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also called Lou Gehrig's disease. Shenoy's team tested a brain-controlled cursor meant to operate a virtual keyboard. In essence the prostheses analyze the neuron sample and make dozens of corrective adjustments to the estimate of the brain's electrical pattern вЂ“ all in the blink of an eye. Now an interdisciplinary team led by Stanford electrical engineer Krishna Shenoy has developed a technique to make brain-controlled prostheses more precise. So tiny errors in the sample вЂ“ neurons that fire too fast or too slow вЂ“ reduce the precision and speed of thought-controlled keypads. Actions and thoughts are orchestrated by millions of neurons вЂ“ biological switches that fire faster or slower in dynamic patterns.Д«rain-controlled prostheses currently work with access to a sample of only a few hundred neurons, but need to estimate motor commands that involve millions of neurons. Such devices tap into the relevant regions of the brain, bypass damaged connections and deliver thought commands to devices such as virtual keypads.Д«ut brains are complex. In recent years researchers have sought to give people suffering from injury or disease some restored motor function by developing thought-controlled prostheses. When we type or perform other precise tasks, our brains and muscles usually work together effortlessly.Д«ut when a neurological disease or spinal cord injury severs the connection between the brain and limbs, once-easy motions become difficult or impossible. It takes 11.4 seconds to hit 10 targets using the thought-control device. In the first clip the monkeys hit 10 targets in 9.9 second with their hands. This device discerns their intention to hit the target and translates this thought into an electronic command that controls a virtual cursor. But this time, the motion is directed by an experimental device that taps into the monkey's brain.

The second clip also shows targets being hit. In the first, flashing targets on a virtual keypad are hit by monkeys (not shown) using their hands.

Command cord clips target