Speech Neuroprosthesis

BRAVO Clinical Trial: Restoring Movement and Speech with Brain-Computer Interfaces

Neurological injuries that impair speech or movement can be profoundly life-altering. Our neuroscience lab is dedicated to finding innovative solutions to help individuals regain communication and mobility. The BRAVO study focuses on developing a device that translates brain signals into written text, vocalized speech, or control of a robotic arm. This is a critical step towards clinically-viable technologies that can significantly enhance the quality of life for individuals affected.

What is BRAVO?

The Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) Restoration of Arm and Voice (BRAVO) Clinical Trial is a groundbreaking study designed to test the feasibility of using electrocorticography (ECoG) signals to operate devices that assist with movement and communication in adults severely affected by neurological disorders. One aim of the trial is to decode natural speech attempts directly from brain activity.

In a recent breakthrough, we demonstrated that full words could be decoded from brain signals in the speech-motor cortex of a participant who had been unable to speak for over a decade. This discovery shows that the brain’s ability to generate detailed speech-related signals can persist even after years of paralysis, opening new possibilities for restoring communication. To learn more, visit BCI Discoveries page.

This work is part of an FDA-monitored trial exploring electrocorticography (ECoG)—a neural recording method that captures electrical activity from the brain’s surface—and advanced algorithms to enable speech and movement restoration.

Study Recruitment

Who Can Participate?

We are looking for participants who:

  • Have limited or no ability to speak and restricted upper body mobility due to conditions such as ALS, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, brainstem stroke, muscular dystrophy, myopathy, or severe neuropathy.

  • Live within a two-hour drive of the University of California, San Francisco.

What Does Participation Involve?

Participants in this study will:

  1. Undergo Surgery: You will have a temporary BCI device (about the size of a credit card) implanted on the surface of your brain in areas controlling speech and arm movement. The research team will fully explain the surgical risks.

  2. Participate in Recording Sessions: After recovery, you’ll take part in data collection sessions. These sessions, which may be scheduled at your home, will involve tasks to help researchers decode brain signals for controlling assistive devices like communication tools or robotic arms.

  3. Complete the Study: Participation lasts up to five years, but you may withdraw at any time. At the end of the study, the device will be removed through a second surgery.

All study-related activities, including surgery, follow-ups, and care, are provided at no cost to you or your insurer. Participants in this research study will receive compensation of $50 per session, up to a maximum of $5,000 per year.

Why Participate?

While this study is not intended to provide direct benefits to participants, your involvement could lead to future technologies that restore speech and mobility for individuals living with severe disabilities.

What are Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI)?

A BCI is a computer system that captures brain signals and translates them into actions—such as controlling a device—without requiring movement or speech. Our research focuses on improving the speed and accuracy of BCIs by developing advanced hardware and software.

Interested in Learning More?

If this study sounds like a good fit for you or someone you know, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us today to learn more, ask questions, or schedule a meeting.

Contact:
Cady Kurtz-Miott cady.kurtz-miott@ucsf.edu
Visit the study ClinicalTrials.gov for more details.