Brain-Computer Interfaces

Imagine being able to control a computer or a robotic arm using only your thoughts. To the vast majority, this seems like something straight out of a science fiction movie, but modern technology and widespread comprehension of neural functions have led to the rise of the brain-computer interface (BCL).

BCLs function by creating a direct connection between the brain and a computer. They pick up electrical signals in the brain through electrodes on the scalp or sometimes surgical implantation of a device inside the brain. These signals are then transmitted to an external computer, which converts it into commands. This allows for people with disabilities to perform common daily tasks, such as moving a cursor, controlling a prosthetic limb, or selecting words on a screen. 

BCLs are especially promising for people who have lost the ability to speak or move due to certain neurological conditions such as ALS(amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), spinal cord injury, or stroke. In one study by Stanford University, a BCL helped a man with paralysis type up to 90 characters per minute just by imagining the movement of his hand (Willet, Nature, 2021). This was the fastest typing speed ever recorded with a BCL and shows the impact of the technology. 

BCLs may also help treat chronic pain, epilepsy, and even depression by targeting specific regions of the brain. BCLs and related like deep-brain stimulation (DBS) can interrupt the brain’s pain signals, thus reducing how much pain the person feels they are in. BCLs can also stimulate certain areas of the brain linked with emotion and joy, such as areas in the limbic system, to restore healthy brain activity patterns. 

However, challenges do exist. Invasive BCLs carry medical risk because they require brain surgery, in addition to their significant cost. Non-invasive BCLs, such as the electrodes, tend to be less accurate and slower. Researchers and medical professionals are hesitant to use this technology, as disrupting the brain’s function may cause unintended consequences. Privacy is another concern; BCLs read brain signals about the patients’ thoughts and transmit them to the outside world, raising questions about mental privacy and data security. 

Despite these challenges, BCLs are rapidly growing in terms of surgical usage as more and more people gain awareness of its dynamic capabilities. As technology advances and becomes more integrated into the healthcare system, BCLs will continue their ascent as a treatment option for patients with disabilities. 

BCLs represent a powerful step toward surgical advancement and increasing the quality of life for disabled people. Its importance in giving people their independence and sense of connection back is ever-important in the medical specialty.

Written by Saket Parayil at Incisionary

APA References

Willett, F.R. et al. (2021). “High-performance brain-to-text communication via handwriting decoding.” Nature. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-03506-2

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. “Brain-Computer Interfaces.” https://www.ninds.nih.gov

Mayo Clinic. “Deep Brain Stimulation.” https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/deep-brain-stimulation/about/pac-20384562

IEEE Spectrum. “The Future of Brain-Computer Interfaces.” https://spectrum.ieee.org/brain-computer-interface

Williams, Shawna. “Brain-Computer Interface User Types 90 Characters per Minute with Mind.” The Scientist, The Scientist Magazine, 13 May 2021, www.the-scientist.com/brain-computer-interface-user-types-90-characters-per-minute-with-mind-68762. Accessed 7 June 2025.