Controlling screen cursors with thoughts

Using a new brain-computer training approach, 14 volunteers learned in only six minutes how to move a screen cursor with their thoughts. Near-instant feedback helped the people quickly master some of their own brain responses.

The findings were presented at Neuroscience 2010, the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, held in San Diego.

Researchers have developed a speedier system that allows people to control a cursor with thought alone. Studies show that when people and animals are given feedback about their brain signals, they can gain some control over those signals. It’s now possible to acquire that feedback faster than ever before — in “real time” — using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), which registers blood flow in active brain regions. Continue reading …