N Engl J Med November 2016 PMID 27959736

Fully Implanted Brain-Computer Interface in a Locked-In Patient with ALS.

Mariska J Vansteensel, Elmar G M Pels, Martin G Bleichner, Mariana P Branco, Timothy Denison, Zachary V Freudenburg, Peter Gosselaar, Sacha Leinders, Thomas H Ottens, Max A Van Den Boom, Peter C Van Rijen, Erik J Aarnoutse, Nick F Ramsey

Mentions

38
Peak: 6 in Nov 2016
across 5 sources since Nov 2016

Extended reach

183,725
potential audience

Total likes

79

Video views

3,926

Mentions per month

Nov 2016 – Dec 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter18 posts
  • News13 articles
  • Blogs3 articles
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Facebook2 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Several discussions highlight that brain-computer interfaces, especially for ALS patients, are not entirely new and have been explored previously, with comments like 'it’s nothing new and exciting.' The tone varies from skepticism to technical references, showing moderate but not deep engagement, and a shared understanding of the ongoing challenges in this field.

AgreementNeither agree nor disagree

The discussions reflect a recognition that this technology has been explored before, with some dismissing recent advances as not entirely novel.

InterestModerate interest

Many responses show curiosity about the topic, especially in relation to brain-computer interfaces and their history, but not deep enthusiasm.

EngagementNeutral engagement

Comments range from brief mentions to more detailed notes on challenges and methods, indicating moderate engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

The overall consensus suggests these discussions acknowledge the significance but also point out existing limitations and prior work.

Abstract in brief

  • This text discusses a method for helping patients with severe paralysis, specifically those with late-stage ALS, communicate using a fully implanted brain-computer interface (BCI) that records brain signals from the motor cortex.
  • The BCI system includes electrodes placed on the brain and a transmitter implanted in the chest, allowing the patient to control a computer by thinking about moving a hand; in this case, the patient was able to type at a rate of about two letters per minute, 28 weeks after implantation.
  • The device provided a new way for the patient to communicate independently, supplementing or even replacing their eye-tracking device, demonstrating its potential to improve quality of life for those with severe paralysis.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Shanqing Cai
@sqcai · X

To put this into context, motor cortex implant BCI is not new. It has been done in not just monkeys, but also humans before (e.g., https://t.co/kSUFuzAMoH) The main challenge includes achievable information bandwidth given a fixed electrode array and long-term stability. https://t.co/INtvAoSMkE

Apr 8, 2021 · 4 likes · 1 share · 2,893 followers View post →
Srikanth Damera
@SrikanthDamera8 · X

Fully Implanted Brain–Computer Interface in a Locked-In Patient with ALS | NEJM https://t.co/VfqnOimYp6

Mar 23, 2022 · 2 likes · 223 followers View post →
 John 
@John011235 · X

Meanwhile in 2016 and before https://t.co/yFer5kEiwi https://t.co/pjeGbiyWJ8

Feb 20, 2024 · 1 like · 1 share · 4,257 followers View post →
SULTAN TARLACI
@TarlaciSultan · X

@TansuYegen https://t.co/PioyU9szCL  https://t.co/6YKB0Xzjhz  https://t.co/RZIuX44li2

Jan 31, 2024 · 1 share · 63,642 followers View post →
SULTAN TARLACI
@TarlaciSultan · X

RT @TarlaciSultan: @TansuYegen https://t.co/PioyU9szCL  https://t.co/6YKB0Xzjhz  https://t.co/RZIuX44li2

Jan 31, 2024 · 1 share · 63,642 followers View post →
Vicente Lozada-Balderrama
@VicenteLozadaB · X

RT @VicenteLozadaB: Nueva interfaz para la #EsclerosisLateralAmiotrófica! https://t.co/Y17snzqJJK https://t.co/4qOCiag0Ej Fuente @NEJM @med…

Feb 10, 2019 · 14 shares · 13,579 followers View post →

All mentions

RADIO GRAVEYARD, G.C.R.
@DIGITALDECODED1 · X

RT @NEJM: Original Article: Fully Implanted Brain-Computer Communication in a Locked-In #ALS Patient https://t.co/bQpnM2Dv4F #SfN16 https:/…

Sep 25, 2025 · 175 shares · 3,165 followers View post →
Abhin
@dearabhin · X

https://t.co/QXpiO0IOPx

Jun 10, 2025 · 708 followers View post →
ruben arturo barrera
@bhaktivedanta · X

LECTURA 15 BRIAN COMPUTER INTERFACE GOGSC1 1 |. BERKELEY https://t.co/mO6rOXphzA CUAL ES LA DIFERENCIA ENTRE BATERÍA AA Y AAA EN TERMINOS DE VOLTAJE AMPERAJE Y CAPACIDAD https://t.co/p358B7IJd8 https://t.co/C2IZk0EwYO

Dec 28, 2024 · 119 followers View post →
ruben arturo barrera
@bhaktivedanta · X

https://t.co/jaYOzoFPWR

Dec 28, 2024 · 119 followers View post →
ruben arturo barrera
@bhaktivedanta · X

Lecture 15: Brain-Computer Interfaces | COGSCI 1 | UC Berkeley https://t.co/N8WUPVj14N a través de @YouTube

Dec 28, 2024 · 119 followers View post →
T S Vishnuvasan
@Cipher_unhsiV · X

RT @NEJM: Original Article: Fully Implanted Brain-Computer Communication in a Locked-In #ALS Patient https://t.co/bQpnM2Dv4F #SfN16 https:/…

Oct 14, 2024 · 175 shares · 53 followers View post →
胡露那太郎
@sukunabikonano · X

@akibaekicli こんな感じ。気切前に口に咥えたチューブでやっていたことを、電極に置き換えたもので、デコーディングしているわけでは無いです。 https://t.co/i5Xxpbwogm

Sep 22, 2024 · 326 followers View post →
Amelia Clark
@AmeliaClark94 · X

RT @John011235: Meanwhile in 2016 and before https://t.co/yFer5kEiwi

Feb 20, 2024 · 1 share · 1,898 followers View post →
 John 
@John011235 · X

Meanwhile in 2016 and before https://t.co/yFer5kEiwi https://t.co/pjeGbiyWJ8

Feb 20, 2024 · 1 like · 1 share · 4,257 followers View post →
 John 
@John011235 · X

@S3XYengineering @SawyerMerritt @neuralink https://t.co/yFer5kEiwi You can read about it all here. It’s nothing new and exciting

Feb 20, 2024 · 4,257 followers View post →
SULTAN TARLACI
@TarlaciSultan · X

RT @TarlaciSultan: @TansuYegen https://t.co/PioyU9szCL  https://t.co/6YKB0Xzjhz  https://t.co/RZIuX44li2

Jan 31, 2024 · 1 share · 63,642 followers View post →
SULTAN TARLACI
@TarlaciSultan · X

@TansuYegen https://t.co/PioyU9szCL  https://t.co/6YKB0Xzjhz  https://t.co/RZIuX44li2

Jan 31, 2024 · 1 share · 63,642 followers View post →
luis hernan graffe
@hernangraffe · X

RT @hernangraffe: https://t.co/WQAPhJYJyY

Dec 30, 2023 · 1 share · 3,136 followers View post →
luis hernan graffe
@hernangraffe · X

https://t.co/WQAPhJYJyY

Dec 29, 2023 · 1 share · 3,136 followers View post →
Srikanth Damera
@SrikanthDamera8 · X

Fully Implanted Brain–Computer Interface in a Locked-In Patient with ALS | NEJM https://t.co/VfqnOimYp6

Mar 23, 2022 · 2 likes · 223 followers View post →
Vicente Lozada-Balderrama
@VicenteLozadaB · X

RT @VicenteLozadaB: Nueva interfaz para la #EsclerosisLateralAmiotrófica! https://t.co/Y17snzqJJK https://t.co/4qOCiag0Ej Fuente @NEJM @med…

Apr 17, 2021 · 14 shares · 13,579 followers View post →
Shanqing Cai
@sqcai · X

To put this into context, motor cortex implant BCI is not new. It has been done in not just monkeys, but also humans before (e.g., https://t.co/kSUFuzAMoH) The main challenge includes achievable information bandwidth given a fixed electrode array and long-term stability. https://t.co/INtvAoSMkE

Apr 8, 2021 · 4 likes · 1 share · 2,893 followers View post →
Vicente Lozada-Balderrama
@VicenteLozadaB · X

RT @VicenteLozadaB: Nueva interfaz para la #EsclerosisLateralAmiotrófica! https://t.co/Y17snzqJJK https://t.co/4qOCiag0Ej Fuente @NEJM @med…

Feb 10, 2019 · 14 shares · 13,579 followers View post →
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