Toward a Proprioceptive Neural Interface that Mimics Natural Cortical Activity
Tucker Tomlinson1, Lee E Miller2,3,4
1Department of Physiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60611, USA.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|December 31, 2016
Summary
Researchers developed a new method using intracortical microstimulation (ICMS) to evoke proprioception, the sense of limb position. This breakthrough offers hope for restoring this crucial sensation in patients with sensory deficits.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
- Sensory Restoration
Background:
- Advances in efferent neural interfaces enable paralyzed individuals to control prosthetic limbs.
- Restoring somatosensation, particularly proprioception, remains a significant challenge.
- Proprioception is vital for motor control, and its loss causes severe deficits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop afferent neural interfaces for restoring proprioception.
- To investigate the feasibility of evoking proprioceptive sensations via intracortical microstimulation (ICMS) in the somatosensory cortex (S1).
Main Methods:
- Reviewing the cortical representation of proprioception.
- Utilizing spatiotemporally precise ICMS in S1.
- Developing afferent cortical interfaces.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated that ICMS in S1 can evoke sensations similar to natural proprioception.
- Provided the first evidence for ICMS-induced proprioceptive sensations.
Conclusions:
- Preliminary findings suggest ICMS is a viable method for evoking proprioception.
- This research is a critical first step towards developing afferent cortical interfaces to restore proprioception.
