Brain implant helps paralysed man to feed himself and drink from cup

Keith Thomas can move arms and hands, and feel sensation of touch after double neural bypass and months of training

Published 16 July 2026 95 words
SCIENCE A1
Brain implant helps paralysed man to feed himself and drink from cup

A man named Keith Thomas could not move his arms or hands. He was paralysed after an accident. Now, he can feed himself and drink from a cup.

This is possible because of a new brain implant. Doctors put small pieces in his brain. These pieces help his brain send messages to his arms and hands. He can move them again.

The implant also helps him feel things. He can feel when someone touches his hand or when his dog is near. This technology is very helpful for people with injuries.

Vocabulary

paralysed — unable to move part or all of your body
brain implant — a small device put into the brain by doctors
send messages — to pass information from one part of the body to another
move them — to use your arms and hands to do actions
feel things — to know that something is touching you

Discussion Questions

  1. What can Keith Thomas do now that he could not do before?
  2. How does the brain implant help Keith Thomas?
  3. What else can Keith Thomas feel with the new technology?

Based on an article from The Guardian.

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