[BobbyB]

Researchers to Report Data from Cyberkinetics’ BrainGate System at 2006 Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience


FOXBOROUGH, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cyberkinetics Neurotechnology Systems, Inc. (OTCBB:CYKN; Cyberkinetics) is scheduled to report its latest findings with respect to the Company’s BrainGate Neural Interface System (BrainGate System) in presentations at the Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience in Atlanta, Georgia. The presentations will include scientific, mathematical data and practical observations related to a participant with quadriplegia and unable to speak as a result of a brainstem stroke, as well as the first participant with advanced ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease). Cyberkinetics will make the details of its findings available following the completion of the presentations at the Society for Neuroscience.

Times, Dates and Locations of Presentations

On Saturday, October 14 at 1:00 pm EDT, Leigh Hochberg, M.D., Ph.D., a Principal Investigator in the BrainGate clinical trial, will present “Voluntary modulation of motor cortical activity by a person with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: initial BrainGate experience,” in the Georgia World Congress Center: Room C308.
On Sunday, October 15 at 2:00 pm EDT, John P. Donoghue, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Cyberkinetics and Brown University professor, will present a poster entitled, “BrainGate neuromotor prosthesis: First experience by a person with brainstem stroke,” in the Georgia World Congress Center: Halls B3-B5.
At the meeting, Cyberkinetics’ neural sensing and decoding platform technology will be the subject of 17 symposia and abstracts related to clinical and research studies conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Brown University, Stanford University, University of Chicago and University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). A complete listing of these presentations is available at Cyberkinetics website in the Media Room at www.cyberkineticsinc.com.

In addition to his role as Principal Investigator in the BrainGate clinical trial, Dr. Hochberg is Associate Investigator, Rehabilitation Research and Development Service, Center for Restorative and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Veterans Affairs, Providence, Rhode Island, a member of the neurology staff at Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Spaulding Rehabilitation Center, and is an Investigator in Neuroscience at Brown University.

About the BrainGate System

The BrainGate Neural Interface System is a proprietary, investigational brain-computer interface (BCI) that consists of an internal sensor to detect brain cell activity and external processors that convert these brain signals into a computer-mediated output under the person's own control. The sensor is a tiny silicon chip about the size of a baby aspirin with one hundred electrodes, each thinner than a human hair, that can detect the electrical activity of neurons. The sensor is implanted on the surface of the area of the brain responsible for movement, the motor cortex. An external cable connects to a cart containing computers, signal processors and monitors that enable study participants to control devices driven by their neural output – that is, by thought alone. The ultimate goal of the BrainGate System development program is: to create a safe, effective and unobtrusive universal operating system that will enable those with severe motor impairments and the inability to speak; to quickly and reliably control a wide range of appliances, including computers, assistive technologies and medical devices, by using their thoughts.

A pilot study of the BrainGate System is currently underway in those with severe paralysis resulting from spinal cord injury (SCI), muscular dystrophy, or with “locked-in” syndrome (tetraplegia and the inability to speak) secondary to stroke. A second pilot study is currently enrolling individuals with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease) or other motor neuron diseases at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.

About Cyberkinetics Neurotechnology Systems, Inc.

Cyberkinetics Neurotechnology Systems, Inc., a leader in the neurotechnology industry, is developing neural stimulation, sensing and processing technology to improve the lives of those with severe paralysis resulting from spinal cord injuries, neurological disorders and other conditions of the nervous system. Cyberkinetics’ product development pipeline includes: the Andara™ Oscillating Field Stimulator (OFS) Device, an investigative device designed to stimulate regeneration of the neural tissue surrounding the spinal cord; the BrainGate System, an investigative device designed to provide communication and control of a computer, assistive devices, and, ultimately, limb movement; and the FDA cleared-to-market NeuroPort™ System, a neural monitor designed for acute inpatient applications and labeled for temporary (less than 30 days) recording and monitoring of brain electrical activity. Additional Information is available at Cyberkinetics’ website at http://www.cyberkineticsinc.com.

Copies of the abstracts to be presented at the Society for Neuroscience are available in the Media Kit at www.cyberkineticsinc.com.



Contacts
Cyberkinetics Contact:
Elizabeth A. Razee, 508-549-9981, Ext. 109
Manager, Corporate Communications

[BobbyB]

Analysis: Sci-Fi 'brain' restores motion
By ED SUSMAN
CHICAGO, Oct. 11 (UPI) -
- Researchers have pulled a page out of science fiction books, creating brain interfaces that have the potential to give sight to the blind, voice to the speechless and motion to the paralyzed.

In a presentation at Wednesday's closing session of the 131st annual meeting of the American Neurological Association in Chicago, John Donoghue, director of the Brain Science Department at Brown University, Providence, R.I., said four people have been surgically implanted with electrodes in the brain.

"We are on a path that will allow patients to participate in their own rehabilitation and perhaps learn to operate an exo-skeleton that is neurally controlled," said Donoghue, founder of Cyperkinetics Inc., developers of the BrainGate device he demonstrated Wednesday.

Presently, the patients -- all of whom have no mobility in their arms or legs -- to perform a variety of tasks.

-- One man was able to use his brain interface to command a prosthetic arm to pick up a piece of candy and hand it to a researcher.

-- A woman suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, sometimes called Lou Gehrig's disease, and unable to speak, use any of her limbs or even move her head, employed the a brain-computer interface to write sentences which were then spoken by the computer.

-- Patients were able to play a video game -- albeit much slower than a normal individual -- controlling the game curser through the brain implantation.

"This is like disciplined science fiction," Wallace Tourtellotte, professor of neurology at the University of California, Los Angeles, told United Press International. "This is really amazing that you can collect neurons from the brain and make then move objects."

"These are really early days, however," said Daniel Drachman, professor of neurology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore. "We are many years away from seeing a practical use of these devices.

"I think it will be best suited for those patients who become quadriplegic due to a high spinal cord injury. If we can find a way of getting signals from the brain to the rest of the body, that will be a major accomplishment."

In fact, Donoghue said that if his work will allow one of his patients to control a prosthetic arm so that the patient can feed himself - and "we can do this in the next five years, then we will have accomplished something."

The current system requires the patient to be hooked up to a medicine cart full of computers and wires and requires a technician to stand by to make sure all the devices are working.

The interface device, developed by Richard Normann, professor of bioengineering and ophthalmology at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, consists of an electrode array about 1/4-inch square. The chip holds 100 tiny needles so small and so sharp they don't cut tissue but actually displace it.

The tiny chip is tapped into place in the brain in the area of hand motor control by a special device created by Normann.

The incision in the skull is closed and the wires connecting the devices to the computer and threaded through a device that sits on the surface of the skull. Donoghue said the goal is to create a wireless interface so the small cap on the skull will not be necessary.

Normann, in another report to the neurologists, said the array may be able to be placed next to the optic nerve to help the blind see and specially-devised arrays may be able to allow for smooth muscle operation to allow a person confined to wheelchair to stand. He demonstrated its use in animals.

While the practical devices could be years from fruition, Drachman told UPI that the science has surpassed fiction. "We have implanted cochlear devices that help profoundly deaf people hear. What we are talking about here is not really that far away from those implants. It really is not just science fiction anymore."
http://www.upi.com/HealthBusiness/vi...1-045235-5125r

[lisag]

To me this is just so cool....as in very late stages of the disease the loss of communication is one of my husbands and my worst fears...he never wants to get to the point where he can only blink the alphabet...and with this research it does lessen our worries...
I think it is absolutely wonderful research..although I hope one day they can do this non surgically..but even in its present state it is certainly better than nothing...
As to it's application in limb movement though is that possible in ALS ? Does anyone have an opinion on this? Lisa

[BobbyB]

Cyberkinetics' BrainGate System Enables Thought-Driven Computer Control for First ALS Patient in Pilot Clinical Trial
Oct 14 2006, 1:16 PM EST
BIOWIRE


Cyberkinetics Neurotechnology Systems, Inc. (OTCBB:CYKN)(Cyberkinetics) announced that Leigh R. Hochberg, M.D., Ph.D., Principal Investigator in the pilot trial of the BrainGate Neural Interface System (BrainGate), presented preliminary findings from the trial's first participant with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig's disease) in his presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Hochberg discussed initial scientific and clinical observations related to the participant, who is unable to speak or move due to advanced ALS. The participant was nonetheless immediately able to use his own thoughts and the BrainGate System to control a computer cursor.

"ALS is a progressive degenerative disease that damages spinal motor neurons and some neurons in the motor cortex itself, so we are extremely encouraged to see robust neural activity in the motor cortex of the first ALS participant. While the results are still preliminary, the participant has been able to sufficiently modulate his brain activity to control an external device with periods of impressive speed and accuracy," said John Donoghue, Ph.D., Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Cyberkinetics and Professor, Department of Neuroscience at Brown University. "Furthermore, the ability to obtain recordings from the motor cortex in a person with ALS provides us with a unique measure of brain function and, potentially, insight into the nature of disease progression in ALS."

Lucie Bruijn, Ph.D., Science Director for the ALS Association added, "While researchers continue to search for therapies to significantly slow the disease, there is still a tremendous need for new technologies that can help improve the lives of people living with ALS. The recent advances with brain interface technologies give us hope that it is possible to develop a technology that will be easy to use and that can restore a sense of independence and improved quality of life for many people who are unable to move or talk."

"The goal of this pilot trial is to evaluate the safety and potential usefulness of the BrainGate System in people with ALS. Based on the preliminary results obtained by the first participant, we are optimistic that we may be able to achieve these objectives," commented Timothy R. Surgenor, Cyberkinetics' President and Chief Executive Officer. "Restoring the ability to communicate for those with ALS represents a significant quality-of-life advance. If we are able to replicate these results and overcome a number of significant challenges in the development of the device, this population may become an important target for early application of BrainGate technology."

Summary of Preliminary Results

In his talk, "Voluntary modulation of motor cortical activity by a person with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: initial BrainGate experience," Dr. Hochberg presented data that suggest it is possible, even for a person with ALS, to voluntarily excite cells in their motor cortex by simply imagining moving, or intending to move, a paralyzed limb. According to preliminary findings, the participant, a 37 year-old man who is unable to speak or move his arms or legs, demonstrated the ability to voluntarily modulate his cortical activity to control a computer cursor and communication software. Further, once the neural decoder was calibrated (then a 20-30 minute process--now a 5-10 minute process) no learning time was required for a person with ALS to demonstrate initial control of a computer cursor using the BrainGate System. Over the first three months of testing, the BrainGate System recorded an average of 109 neurons each day. On the first day of attempted cortical control, with no prior training, the participant demonstrated good control of the computer cursor - achieving almost 70% accuracy on a point-to-point cursor-movement task.

In addition to his role as Principal Investigator in the BrainGate clinical trial, Dr. Hochberg is an Instructor in Neurology at Harvard Medical School and a member of the neurology staff at Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Spaulding Rehabilitation Center. He is also Associate Investigator, Rehabilitation Research and Development Service, Center for Restorative and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Veterans Affairs, Providence, Rhode Island, as well as an Investigator in Neuroscience at Brown University.

A copy of Dr. Hochberg's abstract is available from Cyberkinetics' website in the Media Kit at www.cyberkineticsinc.com. For specific information about BrainGate(TM) clinical trials please send an email to braingateinfo@cktrial.com.

About the BrainGate System

The BrainGate Neural Interface System is a proprietary, investigational brain-computer interface (BCI) that consists of an internal sensor to detect brain cell activity and external processors that convert these brain signals into a computer-mediated output under the person's own control. The sensor is a tiny silicon chip about the size of a baby aspirin with one hundred electrodes, each thinner than a human hair, that can detect the electrical activity of neurons. The sensor is implanted on the surface of the area of the brain responsible for movement, the motor cortex. A small wire connects the sensor to a cart containing computers, signal processors and monitors that enable the study operators to determine how well study participants can control devices driven by their neural output - that is, by thought alone. The ultimate goal of the BrainGate System development program is to create a safe, effective and unobtrusive universal operating system that will enable those with motor impairments resulting from a variety of causes to quickly and reliably control a wide range of devices, including computers, assistive technologies and medical devices, simply by using their thoughts.

A pilot study of the BrainGate System is currently underway in those with severe paralysis resulting from spinal cord injury (SCI), muscular dystrophy, or with "locked-in" syndrome (tetraplegia and the inability to speak) secondary to stroke. A second pilot study is currently enrolling individuals with ALS or other Motor Neuron Diseases at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.

About ALS

ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease or Motor Neuron Disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks motor neurons in the brain (upper motor neurons) and spinal cord (lower motor neurons). These motor neurons control the movement of voluntary muscles. When the motor neurons can no longer send impulses to the muscles due to ALS, the muscles begin to waste away (atrophy), causing increased muscle weakness. Motor neuron, or nerve cell, death makes it impossible for the brain to control muscles or signal them to move. 30,000 people throughout the U.S. currently have ALS, and 8,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. Presently, there is no cure for ALS.

About Cyberkinetics Neurotechnology Systems, Inc.

Cyberkinetics Neurotechnology Systems, Inc., a leader in the neurotechnology industry, is developing neural stimulation, sensing and processing technology to improve the lives of those with severe paralysis resulting from spinal cord injuries, neurological disorders and other conditions of the nervous system. Cyberkinetics' product development pipeline includes: the Andara(TM) Oscillating Field Stimulator (OFS(TM)) Device, an investigative device designed to stimulate regeneration of the neural tissue surrounding the spinal cord and to restore sensation and motor function; the BrainGate System, an investigative device designed to provide communication and control of a computer, assistive devices, and, ultimately, limb movement; and the NeuroPort(TM) System, which is cleared to market in the United States, a neural monitor designed for acute inpatient applications and labeled for temporary (less than 30 days) recording and monitoring of brain electrical activity. Additional Information is available at Cyberkinetics' website at http://www.cyberkineticsinc.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements, including statements about Cyberkinetics' product development plans and progress. These statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "believe," "expect," "anticipate" or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements and reported results shall not be considered an indication of our future performance. Factors that might cause or contribute to such differences include our limited operating history; our lack of profits from operations; our ability to successfully develop and commercialize our proposed products; a lengthy approval process and the uncertainty of FDA and other governmental regulatory requirements; clinical trials may fail to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of our products; the degree and nature of our competition; our ability to employ and retain qualified employees; compliance with recent legislation regarding corporate governance, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; as well as those risks more fully discussed in our public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, all of which are difficult to predict and some of which are beyond our control.
http://www.genengnews.com/news/bnitem.aspx?name=6954999