A Direct Brain to Speech Generator for use in Humans

描述(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人的接近对话速度的语音。在第一阶段的研究中，自2004年12月以来植入神经营养电极系统的一名23岁锁定受试者的言语运动区的神经记录产生了神经数据，这些数据已被映射到音素表示以及想象和实际动作。在拟议的工作中，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，以实现实时语音假体开发的快速模式识别。此外，对慢性运动研究执行的群体向量分析可以实现将单个神经元的放电转换为音素或关节空间以驱动语音合成模型的方法。另一名患者将被植入电极系统，以扩大和验证与最初的受试者所取得的工作。由此得到的数据将大大有助于理解语音产生的大脑皮层组织，并加速为被锁定的个人开发语音假体。以数据共享为目的的网站开发将由合作者和其他感兴趣的各方扩大和使用。 研究与公共健康的相关性：患有肌萎缩侧索硬化症和脑干中风的闭锁患者迫切需要创造一种语音假体设备。在侵入性神经假体研究中正在进行的大量研究集中在使瘫痪肢体失去的运动功能能够恢复或通过计算机软件提供间接通信。这项工作对被锁定的患者很有帮助；然而，这类患者已经表明，实时自发语音是更可取的最终应用。本研究的目的是利用神经营养电极人脑皮质记录系统，结合复杂的模式识别模型和软件，开发一种语音假体装置。神经假体的研究大多集中于瘫痪肢体运动功能的恢复或通过计算机软件提供间接交流，然而，我们认为实时自发语音将是更理想的应用于闭锁患者。

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.