Non-invasive brain-to-brain interface (BBI): establishing functional links between two brains

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biotechnology
• Brain-Computer Interfaces

Background:

• Transcranial focused ultrasound (FUS) offers non-invasive neural modulation.
• Brain-computer interfaces (BCI) translate brain activity into commands.
• Previous research has not established interspecies brain-to-brain communication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the feasibility of a non-invasive brain-to-brain interface (BBI) between a human and a rat.
• To use FUS-based computer-to-brain interface (CBI) to link neural functions across species.
• To translate human intention into a physical response in a rat.

Main Methods:

• Human volunteers used a BCI detecting steady-state visual-evoked potentials (SSVEP) linked to a strobe light.
• Intention detection triggered burst-mode FUS to stimulate the rat's motor cortex.
• Rat tail movement, indicative of successful stimulation, was monitored by a motion sensor.

Main Results:

• The FUS-based BBI achieved 94.0±3.0% accuracy in translating human intention to rat tail movement.
• The average time delay from intention to tail movement was 1.59±1.07 seconds.
• Successful non-invasive, computer-mediated neural linking between human and rat was demonstrated.

Conclusions:

• A computer-mediated BBI successfully linked central neural functions between a human and a rat.
• This interspecies BBI demonstrates potential for novel neuroscience research and therapeutic applications.
• Non-invasive FUS technology is a viable tool for creating cross-species brain interfaces.