Researchers at UC Davis have successfully used a brain-computer interface (BCI) implant to restore speech to Casey Harrell, a 45-year-old ALS patient who had lost the ability to speak clearly. The breakthrough was achieved through the use of neural sensors developed by Blackrock Neurotech and AI-driven text-to-speech software that mimics Harrell’s voice from recordings taken years before. The technology works by capturing the brain's commands to speech muscles and translating them into phonemes and words, allowing Harrell to communicate naturally with others. The system has demonstrated an impressive 97% accuracy rate, closely matching the performance of commercial speech recognition software.
The BCI system relies on Blackrock’s NeuroPort array, which includes 64 electrodes implanted into the cortex of the brain. Harrell underwent surgery in July 2023 to have the electrodes implanted, and after eight months of data collection and testing, he was able to speak again using the system. His vocabulary now includes over 125,000 words, enabling him to engage in both prompted and spontaneous conversations. Researchers highlighted that previous BCI systems had frequent errors that made communication difficult, but this new technology has overcome those challenges, providing consistent and understandable speech.
This pioneering work is part of the BrainGate clinical trial consortium, which has been exploring BCI technologies for over two decades. The success of this project represents a significant advancement in the field of neuroprosthetics, offering hope to those with paralysis and other communication impairments. The research was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, and Harrell used his restored voice in an interview on the NEJM's Intention to Treat podcast. BrainGate’s director, Leigh Hochberg, praised the courage and contribution of Harrell and other trial participants in helping to develop life-changing technologies for people with severe disabilities.
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