UB Brain-Computer Interface Trial Explores New Technology for People With Paralysis

BUFFALO, N.Y. — A clinical trial in Buffalo is testing technology that could let people with severe paralysis control digital devices using their thoughts. But for people living with ALS and cerebral palsy, the potential impact is about much more than technology.

For Donte Lindsay, being born with cerebral palsy has presented daily hurdles he’s had to adapt to. And for Chuck Suto, who developed ALS a few years ago, he has progressively lost the ability to do everyday things many of us take for granted.

"Simple things like brushing your teeth, feeding yourself, putting a shirt on, combing your hair, anything. It just became impossible to do," said Suto.

Even getting online takes extra effort. Suto said he sometimes uses a straw to press the keys on his computer. And as ALS threatens his ability to speak, he worries about losing another way to connect with the world.

"Good thing I have Siri because Siri does everything for me now," he said. "But eventually I will lose my voice."

Now, researchers at the University at Buffalo Neurosurgery are studying whether brain signals can help people like Suto regain some of that independence. Chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery at UB and director of Neurosciences at Kaleida Health, Dr. Elad Levy, said the intent clinical trial uses a brain-computer interface designed to translate patterns of brain activity into commands for digital devices.

"Imagine a computer or a computer chip interfacing with your brain," said Dr. Levy. "Imagine being able to translate your thoughts into the peripherals you use every day, like your iPhone or Apple Vision Pro or your iPad."

Unlike some brain-computer technologies that require open brain surgery, Synchron’s device is designed to be delivered through a blood vessel. Chief Medical Officer at the Dental Neurologic Institute and director of the Dental Neuromuscular Center, Dr. Bennett Myers, helps assess potential participants and monitor them throughout the study. But he said this isn't an instant fix.

"It's not a matter of they pop this in and then right away you can start using your brain to control computers," said Dr. Myers. "There's an awful lot of training and practice that will go into it for patients to gain that skill to be able to control a computer."

For Lindsay, who works as a Suburban Adult Services Advocate Support Specialist, technology like this could open new possibilities for people with different disabilities. But he said research needs to prove what it can safely do.

"With cerebral palsy, as you know, the brain sometimes develops more quickly than the body," said Lindsay. "I would need to know if it impacted the growth of the brain, because that also has to do with aging in the body."

For Suto, the goal is personal — keeping his connection to other people as his disease progresses.

"To open up my computer again and be able to do that," he said. "Right now it's just sitting there collecting dust. Being able to communicate is the most important thing. I'm a very social person."

And for Lindsay, a neural tool that could finally make his day-to-day life light-years easier would go a long way.

The study is still in its early stages. Researchers are working to determine how much functionality the technology can provide, while weighing its risks and the commitment required of participants. The goal is to determine whether it can safely help people with severe upper-body paralysis interact with computers and other digital devices.