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Outlook: The locked-in boy and the brain experiment

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Phil Kennedy on the table before his brain implant surgery

20/10/2021 GMT

The locked-in boy and the brain experiment

BBC World Service - Outlook, The locked-in boy and the brain experiment

Why neurologist Phil Kennedy experimented on his own healthy brain

Neurologist Phil Kennedy took the controversial step of experimenting on his own brain. He had surgery to understand how to help paralysed patients regain the power of speech.

Erik Ramsey was seriously injured in a car crash when he was 16 years old. He became locked-in and lost all voluntary muscle function except for the ability to move his eyes up and down. His father Eddie, desperate to help his son communicate, reached out to neurologist and neuroscientist Dr Phil Kennedy. Phil was known for his pioneering work helping paralysed patients communicate again. His method was to implant electrodes in their brains that would transmit their thoughts to a computer. He started working with Erik and Eddie but eventually, in order to advance his research, Phil decided to experiment by implanting the same electrodes into his own, healthy brain. It was a drastic and controversial step - if the surgery on Phil's brain went wrong, he risked losing his ability to speak. Phil, Eddie and Erik are featured in the documentary, The Father of the Cyborgs. And Phil has written a book called Unlocking Erik.

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com

Presenter: Jo Fidgen
Producer: Maryam Maruf

Picture: Phil Kennedy before his brain implant surgery
Credit: Paul Powton

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