Electrodes can determine words ‘spoken’ in brain

Right now, to have words read directly out from one’s brain proves to be an impossible task, but there is a glimmer of hope that things might change down the road. After all, researchers at the University of Utah have managed to find a way to use electrodes on the brain’s surface when determining which words a patient was saying. It involves a couple of grids each with 16 microelectrodes to two different parts of a patient’s brain, in particular a section that deals with facial muscles and movements as well as a speech center known as Wernicke’s area. The patient will need to repeatedly speak ten words that they believed would benefit those paralyzed and unable to talk – and they are yes, no, more, less, hot, cold, thirsty, hungry, hello, and goodbye. Success rate of this stands at 90% currently, and up to 48% success when determining a single word among the field of 10. Of course, carrying out full conversations is still a long way off but this is definitely a good start as any.