Noninvasive brain-computer interface enables communication after brainstem stroke.

[locked-in syndrome]

Brain -computer interfaces (BCIs ) provide communication that is independent of muscle control , and can be especially important for individuals with severe neuromuscular disease who can not use standard communication pathways or other assistive technology . It has previously been shown that people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS ) can successfully use BCI after all other means of independent communication have failed . The BCI literature has asserted that brainstem stroke survivors can also benefit from BCI use . This study used a P 300 -based event-related potential spelling system . This case study demonstrates that an individual locked-in owing to brainstem stroke was able to use a noninvasive BCI to communicate volitional messages . Over a period of 13 months , the participant was able to successfully operate the system during 40 of 62 recording sessions . He was able to accurately spell words provided by the experimenter and to initiate dialogues with his family . The results broadly suggest that , regardless of the precipitating event , BCI use may be of benefit to those with locked-in syndrome .