Breaking the silence: brain-computer interfaces (BCI) for communication and motor control.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biomedical Engineering
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Brain-computer interfaces (BCI) translate brain activity into commands for external devices.
• BCI research encompasses invasive (animal models) and noninvasive (human) approaches.
• Clinical applications have primarily utilized noninvasive methods for communication and motor restoration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current state and clinical utility of invasive and noninvasive BCIs.
• To explore the potential of BCIs in treating neurological disorders and aiding rehabilitation.
• To highlight advancements in BCI technologies, including fMRI-BCIs and NIRS-BCIs.

Main Methods:

• Review of invasive BCI studies, primarily in animal models, using implanted electrodes.
• Analysis of noninvasive BCI studies in humans, focusing on electroencephalography (EEG).
• Examination of emerging BCI technologies like functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS).

Main Results:

• Noninvasive EEG-based BCIs facilitate communication for paralyzed and locked-in patients, but not completely locked-in individuals.
• Invasive BCIs in animals demonstrate control over complex movements like reaching and grasping.
• fMRI-BCIs and NIRS-BCIs show promise for regulating emotional disorders, particularly in children.

Conclusions:

• Noninvasive BCIs offer significant communication benefits for specific patient groups.
• The clinical utility of BCIs for voluntary movement control requires further investigation.
• Emerging BCI technologies present new avenues for therapeutic interventions in neurological and emotional disorders.