16. Restoring speech

16. Restoring speech

Imagine being fully conscious, fully aware, but trapped inside a body that refuses to speak. This is the reality of locked-in syndrome, where the ability to communicate—our most fundamental human connection—is completely severed. But what if we could bypass the damaged nerves entirely? In this episode, Dr. Prashanth Prakash will describe how we can use implanted microelectrodes to read neural signals and translate them directly into text and spoken audio. RESOURCES Restoring communication with speech brain–computer interfaces [https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-24824-5.00015-6], by Prashanth Ravi Prakash, Shiyu Luo, Nathan E. Crone, Marc W. Slutzky

15. Restoring motor function

One of the first applications of neural interfaces has been for restoring motor functions. But how do these systems actually work? In this episode, Drs. Donatella Mattia and Natalie Mrachacz-Kersting explain what is neuroplasticity and how it is leveraged to restore motor capabilities in people with severe disabilities. RESOURCES How to use brain–computer interfaces for motor functional recovery following stroke [https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-24824-5.00018-1], by Natalie Mrachacz-Kersting and Donatella Mattia

14. Improve athletic performance

Mind and body are even more linked than we thought. In fact, our physical performance directly depend on the health of our brain. In this episode, we explore with Dr. Camille Jeunet-Kelway how to use neurofeedback to train better and excel in sports and physical activities at large. RESOURCES EEG-neurofeedback as a tool to improve athletic performance [https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-24824-5.00014-4], by Camille Jeunet-Kelway, Margaux Izac, Effie Segas, Cloe Guerrini, Bernard N'Kaoua, Léa Pillette Neurathletics [https://neurathletics.fr]

13. Making better decisions with neural technologies

In this episode, we explore how neural technologies can be used to improve the way we make decisions with Professor Riccardo Poli from the University of Essex. We will also discover how AI and brain-computer interfaces can be combined to make humans and artificial intelligence even better. RESOURCES Improving decision capabilities through brain–computer interfaces [https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-24824-5.00008-9], by Riccardo Poli and Caterina Cinel

12. Passive brain-computer interfaces

Today, we are used of tracking our heart rate, steps, sleep, physical activity, and other biometrics. Tomorrow, we will be able to track our brain activity 24/7. In this episode, we explore with Dr. Marius Klug what we could gain from measuring our brain continuously and build BCIs that work in background to help us with our lives. RESOURCES Passive Brain-Computer Interfaces: Tracking Mental States for Neuroadaptive Technology [https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-24824-5.00010-7] by Marius Klug, Diana Gherman, Laurens Krol, Thorsten Zander