The neural prosthetics translational laboratory

Our Vision

The Neural Prosthetics Translational Laboratory (NPTL) was founded in 2009 by Professors Krishna Shenoy, PhD and Jaimie Henderson, MD. Our research focuses on the twin goals of investigating fundamental principles of human neuroscience and translating laboratory insights into clinically viable assistive devices for people with paralysis. Using small, surgically implantable sensors, our lab decodes nerve cell activity from the areas of the brain that control movement, allowing our research participants with paralysis to move computer cursors, robotic limbs, and other assistive devices. We recently demonstrated the highest typing performance ever reported by people with paralysis using a brain-computer interface (BCI), allowing our participants to type up to 8 words per minute using an on-screen computer keyboard. We have active research projects in a number of areas, including improving the performance of brain-controlled robotics, investigating the use of a fully-implantable wireless BCI system, restoring communication capabilities for people with paralysis, and understanding the basis of volitional movement in human research participants.