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NEWS: Patient's Thoughts Control Computer London - A man has been able to control a computer by thought alone after receiving an electronic implant that fused with his brain cells. The American surgeons say it is the first time that such a connection has been made directly in the brain, rather than with nerves in the spine or limbs. "If you can run a computer, you can talk to the world", said Dr. Roy Bakay, of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, whose team developed the implants. He told a meeting of brain surgeons last week he had performed two of the operations in which he persuaded the patients' brain cells to grow into his implant, linking up with its electronics. One of the patients, a 53-year old man known only as J.R., was almost totally paralysed by a stroke. He is dependent on a ventilator and cannot speak, although he is fully alert and intelligent and knows everything that is going on around him. Once he received the implant he could control a cursor no a computer screen and point at different icons, triggering a computer voice to make comments such as "I'm thirsty". Now that J.R., who is in the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Centre, can select phrases, his favourite is: "See you later. Nice talking with you." The first volunteer, a woman suffering from a neuro-degenerative disease, was given the implants 18 months ago and has since died. The most immediate application of the technology would be for people who are totally paralysed, enabling them to express their thoughts or even control artificial limbs. by Aisling Irwin The Daily Telegraph printed in the Ottawa Citizen 15 October 1998 janet paterson - 51/10 - almonte/ontario/canada http://www.newcountry.nu/pd/members/janet/ [log in to unmask]