Paralyzed Patient Controls a Computer with his Brain

Christopher Reeves died today. While he didn't live to fulfill his dream of walking again, science came one step closer last week. A former high school football player is able to control a computer screen using only his thoughts, thanks to a computer chip implanted in his brain. The early results of a ground-breaking study were revealed Friday at the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation annual conference.

Representatives of Cyberkinetics Neurotechnology Systems told attendees that the 25-year-old quadriplegic can use his thoughts to control a computer well enough to operate a TV, open e-mail and play Pong with 70% accuracy.

It's ironic that this breakthrough came as Reeves was dying. His injury, and his heroic public advocacy for spinal cord research, helped make breakthroughs like this possible.

Read more details in this USATODAY.com article.