University of Houston neurotechnology team showcases new innovations at United Nations summit

HOUSTON — Imagine being able to control a device just by thinking about it.

The BRAIN Center at the University of Houston is working to make this idea a reality.

His team has just returned from the United Nations AI for Good Global Summit in Switzerland to present their research.

The lab works with exoskeletons, a robotic device designed to help paraplegic patients walk. The UH team’s goal is not only to use a joystick to control it, but also to use the mind.

The sensors detect student Gabriel’s brain waves, even if he just thinks about walking. At Thursday’s demonstration, the movement itself was controlled by a computer. He showed how the training combines user thoughts and device steps. Some paraplegics have already started using the system by thinking about their steps.

Today, Dr. Jose Luis Contreras-Vidal, a neuroscientist and director of the UH Brain Center, studies the brain waves of performers.

“Musicians, dancers, they were highly trained, they have exquisite control of their bodies,” Contreras-Vidal said.

Contreras-Vidal hopes their brains can create clear maps for more expressive human movements. He envisions a day when the exoskeleton will be replaced by truly wearable technology.

“It will be more of an item of clothing,” Contreras-Vidal said.

Chronic stroke patients who need to relearn how to use their arms could also benefit. Doctoral student Lianne Sanchez Rodriguez demonstrated her project with brain sensors connected to a machine that moves the arm.

“We want to see when the person wants to move the arm. And this way we can try to rehabilitate the brain signals,” said Sánchez Rodriguez.

Consider the possibilities: from depression to dementia… Alzheimer’s patients with severe memory loss often still remember songs clearly.

“We know music is powerful, right? You can change your mood. It can bring back memories. So there’s no doubt that through music we can access the brain, areas specific memories,” Vidal-Contreras said. .

Could doctors possibly prescribe music and dance to train the mind and heal the body? Perhaps one day, stimulating the right parts of the brain will be the therapy of choice rather than surgery or pills.