The study, published in Nature Neuroscience, is based on researchers developing a type of brain-computer interface in which a device was surgically implanted in the cerebral cortex. Two people participated in the study, one with ALS and one with a spinal cord injury.
The two were asked to try to move their fingers as if pressing keys. Even though they could not physically move their hands, the corresponding parts of their brains were activated.
One of the participants was able to type up to 22 words per minute, which is equivalent to 81 percent of the speed of a person without a disability typing on a smartphone.
