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Intracranial Neuro Telemetry to Restore Communication

Project description

Unlocking the communication capabilities of patients with locked-in syndrome

Locked-in syndrome is a rare and serious neurological disorder caused by damage to a part of the brainstem, which leaves a person totally paralysed but conscious and with normal cognitive abilities. This means they can see, hear and feel normally – even a fly on their nose, for example – yet they cannot move or speak. The psychological and emotional burden on patients and their caregivers is tremendous. The EU-funded INTRECOM project is developing a pioneering, fully implantable AI-based brain-computer interface to address this. It will enable real-time decoding of a person’s intended speech, and automatic transmission to receiving equipment in a bid to unlock the potential of these patients to communicate.

Objective

Not being able to communicate while still being conscious is a horrifying prospective for many patients worldwide. Patients with motor neuron disorders, trauma or stroke risk losing complete muscle control leading to Locked-In Syndrome (LIS) which leaves them completely paralysed and unable to communicate. This is an intolerable, fearful situation with very low quality of life and extreme burden of care for patients, family, and care givers. Intracranial Neuro Telemetry to REstore COMmunication (INTRECOM) will provide a breakthrough for these patients by developing a novel, fully implantable Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology that allows for real-time speech decoding and use in the home environment. This BCI system will significantly transcend current technology by providing a high-resolution and sustainable device, combining state-of-the-art hardware and software solutions based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to liberate LIS patients from their isolation.

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) HORIZON-EIC-2021-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITAIR MEDISCH CENTRUM UTRECHT
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 1 771 741,00
Address
HEIDELBERGLAAN 100
3584 CX Utrecht
Netherlands

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Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 1 771 741,25

Participants (2)

Partners (1)

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