The Man with the Bionic Brain: And Other Victories over Paralysis

by Jon Mukand

2014 William Saroyan International Prize for Writing Shortlist Winner

After he was stabbed and became paralyzed from the neck down, Matthew Nagle, a former high school football star, made scientific history when neurosurgeons implanted microelectrodes in his brain that recognized his thought patterns, allowing him to control a computer cursor. With the BrainGate system, Matt was able to use e-mail, manipulate a prosthetic hand, adjust TV settings, and play video games—all just by thinking about performing these tasks. In The Man with the Bionic Brain and Other Victories over Paralysis , Dr. Jon Mukand, Matt’s research physician and a rehabilitation specialist, weaves together his story with firsthand accounts of other courageous survivors of stroke, spinal injuries, and brain trauma and the amazing technology that has improved their lives. A behind-the-scenes view of cutting-edge medical research and discoveries, The Man with the Bionic Brain and Other Victories over Paralysis is an insightful and inspirational book about how biomedicine gives hope to people with disabilities and enables them to take control of their futures.

Genres: Nonfiction

368 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2012

Reviews

[Dalene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read a pre-release copy of this for work. I was expecting a story on science and technology, and while that's included, it's much more a story about disabled people and how they can thrive.

[Linda Cain · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible true story ....inspiring and thought provoking! Amazing testament to the strength of the human spirit in overcoming adversity and profound disabilities. Full of amazing accounts of advances in technology to help with paralysis, etc. It was also very inspiring to read of the persistence and caring of these doctors , scientists and other researchers who are working to find ways to help improve the lives of people with disabilities.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sad book on the plight of paralyzation. The book revolves mostly around Matt, a young quadraplegic man, who tries out a new technology called BrainGate. A small transmitter is implanted in his brain and "tower" on the top of his head. This allows him to move a computer cursor with his thoughts alone. Matt was the first experimental subject. Interspersed are chapters on other people who have suffered strokes or other forms of paralysis. The main focus is on how technology has helped these people. Of course, not all can be "saved" by technology. But there are an amazing number of devices available to train muscles to regain function. For me, though, the most amazing part of the stories is that the people involved never saw the technology as being permanent: they only used it to retrain the muscles, then used the plasticity of the brain, which had been rewired, to return to "normal" life.

[Roland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it. Super interesting. To think of what is coming in the future.

[Squeemu · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was 80% story, 15% technology, and 5% explanation of the technology. I was expecting only 20% to be story-telling.