'Lock-In Syndrome' Patients Have A Way To Communicate; ALS Patients Hopeful Of New Development

A new study has discovered the alternative brain computer technology. This new technology helps people with "lock-in syndrome" speak their mind to the outside world.

According to a report, the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) locks the patient in a state that all the other parts of the body do not function except the brain. However, scientists have found a way for the patients with lock-in syndrome to communicate with the help of the alternative brain-computer technology.

In order for the patient with "lock-in syndrome" to communicate, researches use the lights to measure changes in blood oxygen levels. This technique is called functional near-infrared spectroscopy. This method can detect brain activity since the more active brain is the parts where it consumes more energy.

A report indicates that researchers used four patients with "lock-in syndrome" and are trained to focus their minds the answers. With the study, researchers are able to find out that the patients answered the questions correctly 70 percent most of the time.

The wrong answers taken from the patients usually are during the time when they fall asleep. There are also patients that are partially blind so this explains the gap according to researchers. It is indicated that in the future if the brain is not active, questions are not thrown to the patients.

Meanwhile, a report indicates that the new study has been taken out straight from the series "Black Mirror." One of the key themes of the show has always been that computers are not that bad. This new study can already explore to the minds of patients with the "lock-in syndrome."

This is a way for the patients to communicate their thoughts to the outside world. The computer is of great assistance on how they are able to express their thoughts. It can be a future use for the patients with ALS.