Scientists decode brain waves to eavesdrop on what we hear

Researchers at the University of California - Berkeley are trying to "hear" the imagined speech of a patient that is unable to speak. The method involves decoding the electrical activity in the brain. Researchers where able to predict a word heard just by the temporal lobe electrical activity.

This could have a major beneficial effect on stroke and paralysis patients who are unable to communicate through speaking. Although much work needs to be done, there is much promise that one day speech prediction through brain activity will be a reality.

To record this activity research was done on people having brain surgery. Over 250 electrodes were put on the temporal lob. Brain activity was then recorded after the patient listed to a 5-10 minute conversation. Computational models where then used to match the spoken activity with the electrical activity.

*Should be dated Februrary

http://newscenter.berkeley.edu/2012/01/31/scientists-decode-brain-waves-to-eavesdrop-on-what-we-hear/