Neuroscience Editorial Illustration
Worked with a PhD student from Maastricht University to create editorial illustrations to accompany their research in Neuroscience.
“The Innovation of Brain-Computer Interfaces”:
Millions of people around the world suffer from paralysis, a condition that makes them unable to move parts of their body. This loss of movement can be profoundly life-altering, impacting everything from simple daily tasks to the ability to engage socially. For many, even controlling a wheelchair can be an insurmountable challenge. The quest to provide these individuals with a way to regain some independence is a noble goal. Researchers have begun to use Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) to bridge this gap, developing technology that can translate brain activity into control over devices like robotic arms or wheelchairs.
“The Promise of Speech Neuroprosthetics”:
Imagine being unable to speak and express your thoughts and feelings. This is a reality for individuals who suffer from physical or neurological impairments that rob them of their ability to communicate verbally. Speech neuroprosthetics aim to overcome this barrier by creating a bridge between the brain and a device that can synthesize speech. This technology has the potential to open up natural conversation channels and profoundly enhance the quality of life for those with limited communication means. Recent advancements have seen success in translating neural activity into acoustic speech, but the journey to perfect this technology continues.
The real breakthrough comes with the ability to synthesize audible speech not only from vocalized words but also from whispered or even imagined speech. Using specialized electrodes implanted within the brain, researchers have achieved real-time generation of speech sounds. This means that even thoughts or whispers could be translated into audible language. The research focuses mainly on the brain's frontal activity, suggesting that whether speech is vocalized, whispered, or imagined, it may be represented similarly within the brain. While this may sound like science fiction, it's a step towards a future where our minds could speak directly to machines.
