Artificial speech synthesizer control by brain-computer interface

We developed and tested a brain-computer interface for control of an artificial speech synthesizer by an individual with near complete paralysis. This neural prosthesis for speech restoration is currently capable of predicting vowel formant frequencies based on neural activity recorded from an intracortical microelectrode implanted in the left hemisphere speech motor cortex. Using instantaneous auditory feedback (< 50 ms) of predicted formant frequencies, the study participant has been able to correctly perform a vowel production task at a maximum rate of 80-90% correct.