A new system involving platinum electrodes could dramatically improve the potential for using brain signals to control or manipulate an individual's environment.

Researchers from Albany Medical College in the US have been recording electrical activity from the brain's surface with the help of a software platform known as BCI2000.

In clinical tests on epileptic patients awaiting surgery, they found that the technology was more successful at 'choosing' letters from the brain to appear on a computer screen than other alternatives.

The technique, which sees the platinum electrodes delivering the relevant messages, saw the subjects able to select characters at a rate of more than 20 per minute, with near-100 per cent accuracy.

"These results could further extend communication options, such as email or instant messaging, for people with severe motor disabilities to connect with the outside world," said Dr Anthony Ritaccio, the J Spencer Standish Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery and Director of the Epilepsy and Human Brain Mapping Programme at Albany Medical.

"In our method, which used electrodes placed on the surface of the brain, spelling rates were up to three times faster when compared to using signals from the scalp."

Albany Medical College is the only academic health sciences centre in the 25 counties of eastern New York and western New England.

Source:

Study Shows Fast, Accurate Method for Communicating Using Brain Waves (29/12/09)

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