Program Manager: COL Geoffrey Ling, M.D., Ph.D.
The Human-Assisted Neural Devices (HAND) Program is developing the fundamental research that will enable the use of neural activity to provide closed loop control and restore natural function through assistive devices. By directly harnessing the ability of neural pathways to operate natural systems, the HAND Program seeks to provide means of restoring the lives of injured warfighters. Research conducted by HAND performers provides the basis for devices that will aid in recovery from short- and long-term memory deficits caused by traumatic injury as well as restoration of functional use of motor system. Previous work in the program has formed the basis for the Revolutionizing Prosthetics Program, which seeks to create a dramatically improved artificial arm for military amputees. Moving forward, the HAND Program seeks to continue to develop and characterize the fundamental processes that the brain uses to perform tasks.
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