A brain implant has enabled a man paralyzed from the chest down to feed himself and drink from a cup, bypassing his spinal cord injury. Keith Thomas, 48, from Massapequa, New York, broke his neck in a swimming accident in July 2020 and could not lift his arms off his wheelchair. After surgery to implant electrodes in his brain and months of training, he regained the ability to move his limbs and even feel sensations again.
How the Brain Implant Works
Researchers at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research developed a double neural bypass using a brain-computer interface. Electrodes implanted in Thomas’s brain detect when he intends to move his arms. These signals are routed to his arms and hands, enabling movement. Simultaneously, the system sends signals back to his brain, recreating the sense of touch. Thomas has since felt his sister’s hand and the fur on his pet dog.
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Lasting Neural Rewiring
Remarkably, the technology appears to have partly rewired Thomas’s nervous system. Some hand functions and sensations persist even when the system is switched off. “For me this is an incredible moment,” said Prof Chad Bouton, who led the team. “For years, we have been wanting to really tackle the restoration of movement and the sense of touch and bring those together.”
Comparison of Neural Bypass Technologies
| Technology | Movement Restoration | Touch Sensation | Lasting Effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double Neural Bypass | Yes | Yes | Partial rewiring |
| Standard Brain-Computer Interface | Yes | No | No |
| Spinal Cord Stimulation | Limited | No | No |
Key Takeaways
- A paralyzed man regained arm and hand movement using a brain implant.
- The system also restores the sense of touch through neural feedback.
- Partial nervous system rewiring offers lasting benefits even when the device is off.
- This breakthrough could help millions worldwide with paralysis.
FAQ
What is a brain implant for paralysis?
A brain implant is a device that uses electrodes to detect neural signals and bypass spinal cord injuries, allowing paralyzed individuals to move limbs and feel sensations.
How does the double neural bypass work?
It uses electrodes in the brain to read movement intentions, routes signals to the limbs, and sends sensory feedback back to the brain, restoring both movement and touch.
Can the effects last without the implant?
Yes, in some cases the technology has partly rewired the nervous system, leading to lasting hand function and sensation improvements even when the system is turned off.
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