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18 t m c » p u l s e | a u g u s t 2 0 1 9 Looking for a change? Let experience guide you with your next move. Cheryl Cooper, selling real estate for over 20 years in Houston's close in neighborhoods. 4426 NeNaNa WilloW MeadoWs | $410,000 12307 QueeNsbury MeMorial area | $725,000 4913 Holt Bellaire | $1,599,000 4341 CyNtHia Bellaire | $815,000 CHERYL COOPER 713.254.4984 ccooper@greenwoodking.com GREENWOOD KING PROPERTIES Twice a week at Baylor, researchers work with Phillips to determine how well he "sees" patterns of light on a monitor, using the glasses-mounted camera that connects to his brain. They can also turn the camera off and prompt him to "see" moving patterns of light by triggering electrodes implanted in his brain. "Essentially, we're trying to draw on Paul's visual cortex," said William Bosking, Ph.D., assis- tant professor of neurosurgery at Baylor. Bosking compares the technique to tracing the shape of a letter on someone's palm. Phillips, for his part, says the experience is "pretty cool"—especially after seeing nothing but darkness for so long. Through that process, they're mapping the brain's visual cortex and learning more about how triggering those electrodes prompts the perception of light and lines. Though that study is separate from MOANA, some of the lessons the researchers learn about the brain's visual cortex could be applied to the MOANA project. As for the potential wireless brain-to-computer technology, the possibilities are seemingly limitless. "We don't have to wait for someone to move the muscles in their mouth to say what they're seeing; we don't have to wait for them to move the muscles in their finger to type what they're seeing," Robinson said. In other words, those patients could share information through their minds faster than any other way currently possible. If the tech- nology works, it may mean that, one day, people could communicate with devices or vehicles faster than speaking, typing or controlling a steering wheel or joystick. "If I want to tell another soldier there's a bad guy around the corner, I'd have to pick up a walkie talkie," Beauchamp said. "If I could flash an image of what I'm seeing, that's more effective." Robinson acknowledges that the whole idea of tapping into people's brains wirelessly may make some people uncomfortable. But he is quick to acknowledge that his team includes neuroethicists, who consider how the techniques might be misused and offer potential safeguards. He also emphasizes that he's not developing devices that can read patients' private thoughts. "An important thing to realize is that the [images and sounds] we are seeking to decode are pro- cessed in ways that are very different from, say, your stream of consciousness or private thoughts," he said. "The idea is that, throughout the process, we are making sure the user is in control of how their device is being used." Paul Phillips, who is blind, works with researchers at Baylor who are trying to help him "see" patterns of light.