Skip to content

Condition: Post with Page_List

Listen
Search
Please enter at least 3 characters.

Latest Stories

Medical Report: New tech helping ALS patients better communicate

Getty Images
Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — People who develop the neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as ALS, progressively lose functioning nerve cells.

In the most advanced stages, the ability to communicate with others is ultimately lost as it becomes impossible to speak.


However, computer technology has been studied using eye-gaze tracking devices to trigger a voice response system. This has opened up communication and relieved some of the suffering in people with advanced cases of ALS.

Brain-computer interface technology has also been studied, but this work is ongoing, there is still no cure for ALS.

Get more medical reports from Dr. Brian McDonough.

​​KYW Newsradio's Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.