Neural Prostheses for Reaching

Abstract

Advancements in the understanding of the primate motor system and improvements in recording technology have revitalized the idea of a neural prosthesis for restoring motor deficits in paralyzed patients. Several research groups have demonstrated the feasibility of such a brain–computer interface (BCI) by decoding reach movements online in monkeys and human patients. BCIs with implanted electrodes seem to have superior decoding capabilities compared to noninvasive methods, but improvements in electrode biocompatibility and the exploration of neural signals other than spiking activity are needed to make this new technology safe and robust for clinical applications.