A Direct Brain to Speech Generator for use in Humans

描述（由申请人提供）：长期目标和具体目标：我们的目标是恢复锁定个体的接近会话率的语言。在第一阶段的研究中，自2004年12月以来，一名23岁的闭锁患者被植入了神经营养电极系统，其语言运动区域的神经记录产生了映射到音位表征以及想象和实际运动的神经数据。在提出的工作中，我们打算结合复杂的语音识别算法，如人工神经网络和隐马尔可夫模型，以实现快速模式识别，用于实时语音假肢的开发。此外，在慢性运动研究中进行的群体向量分析可以实现将单个神经元放电转换为音位或发音空间的方法，以驱动语音合成模型。另一名患者将被植入电极系统，以扩展和验证初始受试者所取得的工作。由此产生的数据将大大有助于理解语言产生的皮层组织，并加速为闭锁个体开发语言假肢。以数据共享为目的的网站开发将扩大，供合作者和其他有关方面使用。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): LONG TERM OBJECTIVES AND SPECIFIC AIMS: We aim to restore near conversational rate speech in locked-in individuals. In the Phase 1 study, neural recordings from the speech motor area in a 23 year old locked-in subject implanted with the Neurotrophic Electrode System since December 2004 have yielded neural data that have been mapped to phonemic representations and to imagined and actual movements. In the proposed work, we intend to incorporate sophisticated speech recognition algortithms, such as Artificial Neural Networks and Hidden Markov Models, in order to enable rapid pattern recognition for purposes of a real-time Speech Prosthetic development. In addition, Population Vector Analysis as performed for chronic motor studies may realize a method of converting individual neuronal firings into Phonemic or Articulatory Space for driving a Speech Synthesis Model. An additional patient will be implanted with the electrode system to expand and verify the work achieved with the initial subject. The resulting data will add much to understanding the cortical organization of speech production and accelerate the development of a speech prosthetic for locked-in individuals. The website development for data sharing purposes will be expanded and used by the collaborators and other interested parties. RELEVANCE OF RESEARCH TO PUBLIC HEALTH: The creation of a Speech Prosthetic Device is much needed by locked-in patients suffering from ALS and brain stem stroke. The substantial research being performed in invasive neuroprosthetic studies is focused on enabling recovery of lost motor functions in paralyzed limbs or providing indirect communication through computer software. This work is helpful to locked-in patients; however, such patients have indicated that real-time spontaneous speech is a much more desirable final application. The purpose of this research is to develop a speech prosthetic device using the Neurotrophic Electrode Human Cortical Recording system with sophisticated pattern recognition models and software. The majority of neuroprosthetic studies are focused on enabling recovery of lost motor functions in paralyzed limbs or providing indirect communication through computer software, however we believe that real-time spontaneous speech would be much more desirable application to locked-in patients.