LEIGH HOCHBERG, M.D., Ph.D.

Professor of Engineering, Brown University; Director, VA RR&D Center for Neurorestoration and Neurotechnology, Providence VA; Director, Center for Neurotechnology and Neurorecovery, Neurocritical Care and Acute Stroke Services, Department of Neurology, Mass General Hospital

Dr. Hochberg is a member of the Rhode Island Advisory Committee for the Ryan Institute for Neuroscience.

Intracortical brain-computer interfaces (iBCI) are poised to revolutionize our ability to restore lost neurologic functions. The BrainGate research team has been conducting a multi-site pilot clinical trial (IDE) of an iBCI system, seeking to determine the feasibility of persons with tetraplegia from cervical spinal cord injury, brainstem stroke, or motor neuron disease controlling external and implanted devices simply by imagining arm or hand movement. Dr. Hochberg will discuss clinical, engineering, and neuroscientific progress in the ongoing trial, as well as challenges and opportunities for translation to clinical utility.