Metabolic Brain-Computer Interfaces

Abstract

Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) utilise neurophysiological signals originating in the brain to activate or deactivate external devices or computers (Donoghue 2002; Wolpaw, Birbaumer et al. 2002; Nicolelis 2003; Birbaumer and Cohen 2007). The neuronal signals can be recorded from inside the brain (invasive BCIs) or outside (non-invasive BCIs) of the brain. Most BCIs developed so far have used operant training of direct neuroelectric responses, Electroencephalography (EEG) waves, event-related potentials and brain oscillations (Birbaumer, Weber et al. 2006; Birbaumer and Cohen 2007). Compared to neuroelectric studies on regulation of brain activity, there have been fewer studies with metabolic signals from the brain (Sitaram, Caria et al. 2007; Weiskopf, Sitaram et al. 2007; Sitaram, Weiskopf et al. 2008). Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) and Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) present themselves as attractive methods of acquiring hemodynamic activity of the brain for a developing a BCI. In this study, we exploit NIRS and fMRI for the implementation of BCIs for the investigation of regulation of hemodynamic signals in the brain and their behavioural consequences. We propose that these methods could be used not only for communication and control in paralysis, but also as powerful tools for experiments in neuroscience and rehabilitation and treatment of neurological disorders.

The neuronal signals can be recorded from inside the brain (invasive BCIs) or outside (non-invasive BCIs) of the brain. Most BCIs developed so far have used operant training of direct neuroelectric responses, Electroencephalography (EEG) waves, event-related potentials and brain oscillations (Birbaumer, Weber et al. 2006; Birbaumer and Cohen 2007). Compared to neuroelectric studies on regulation of brain activity, there have been fewer studies with metabolic signals from the brain (Sitaram, Caria et al. 2007; Weiskopf, Sitaram et al. 2007; Sitaram, Weiskopf et al. 2008). Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) and Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) present themselves as attractive methods of acquiring hemodynamic activity of the brain for a developing a BCI. In this study, we exploit NIRS and fMRI for the implementation of BCIs for the investigation of regulation of hemodynamic signals in the brain and their behavioural consequences. We propose that these methods could be used not only for communication and control in paralysis, but also as powerful tools for experiments in neuroscience and rehabilitation and treatment of neurological disorders.