By Aimee DeGaetano, PhD (ABD), MPH, RD

According to the World Health Organization, roughly 1.3 billion people or 16% of the global population, live with moderate to severe levels of disability that limit their ability to function. Often, their mobility or speech deficits prevent them from access to socialization, employment, education, and even necessary health care.

But what if a person who is unable to walk or speak due to a neurological disease or injury were able to regain functions that they thought were lost to them? Amazing as it may seem, we are not far off from such a reality due to the development of brain–machine interfaces (BMIs). A BMI is also referred to as a brain computer interface (BCI). A BCI establishes a direct communication link between the brain’s electrical activity and an external device, such as a computer or an electronic limb. BCIs have actually been in development since the 1960s, but more recent technologies involving human-machine interfaces have aimed for more short-term solutions, such as helping people with quadriplegia use computers and mobile devices live more independently.

“BCIs have tremendous transformative potential for treating neurological disorders, enhancing neurorehabilitation, and deepening our understanding of the human brain,” says Dr. Elad Levy, Chair of the UB Department of Neurological Surgery and UB Neurosurgery (UBNS) and Co-Director of Gates Stroke Center and Cerebrovascular Surgery at Kaleida Health. Dr. Levy says, “Western New York is rapidly becoming a frontrunner in pioneering brain research in BCI technologies propelled by a neurotechnology hub consisting of UBNS, the Jacobs Institute (JI), and the Atlas Neurosurgery Center (Atlas).”

UBNS is a comprehensive neurosurgical clinic that provides neurosurgical care, latest medical technologies, personalized care, cutting-edge applications and clinical trials, and advanced surgical treatments for complex neurological conditions. The JI is central to the development of neurotechnology through research, clinical trials, and more. Atlas, which is the only freestanding ambulatory neurosurgery center in the United States, offers concierge care and same day ambulatory neurosurgical services. Together, they form a collaborative ecosystem, all with state-of-the-art facilities, essential for developing, testing and refining new technologies, and improving patient outcomes.

“UBNS, JI, and Atlas are leading the way in BCI research, and playing an essential role in supporting emerging companies through funding, mentorship, research, and access to a network of global experts to help bring new technologies to market more quickly. They are also solidifying their roles as central hubs for innovation and acceleration in brain research and neurotechnology to bring about transformative enhancements in human health and capabilities,” says Dr. Levy.

Buffalo is one of only a few sites in the United States approved to conduct first-in-human clinical research that is enabling close monitoring and rapid development of new and safe technologies. The ability to conduct laboratory research within a clinical medical practice is pushing the boundaries of how human brains interact with computers. The hope is that BCI research and technology will create computer interfaces that are safe, powerful, and offer hope for disabled individuals never before thought possible.

Look for updates regarding local research, clinical trials, and more on this topic in future issues of Buffalo Healthy Living, and at www.ubns.com, https://atlassurgery.com, and www.jacobsinstitute.org.