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Engineering Artificial Somatosensation Through Cortical Stimulation in Humans
Brian Lee1,2, Daniel Kramer1,2, Michelle Armenta Salas3
1Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience
|June 20, 2018
Summary
This study shows that electrical stimulation of the somatosensory cortex using mini-electrocorticography (mini-ECoG) grids can restore artificial sensations. This technique has potential for motor control rehabilitation in patients with paralysis or amputation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Sensory feedback is crucial for motor control, especially after paralysis or amputation.
- Brain-machine interfaces offer potential for restoring sensory information, but parameter effects require further study.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically evaluate somatosensory restoration via cortical stimulation using subdural mini-electrocorticography (mini-ECoG) grids.
- To investigate the impact of stimulation parameters on evoked sensations and their utility in behavioral tasks.
Main Methods:
- Utilized subdural 64-channel mini-ECoG grids implanted over the hand area of the primary somatosensory cortex in nine epilepsy patients.
- Mapped somatotopic receptive fields and analyzed sensation quality by varying pulse width, current amplitude, and frequency.
- Assessed the use of artificial sensation in a target localization task.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated a replicable somatotopic representation of the hand on the mini-ECoG grid.
- Evoked sensations were often artificial but sometimes natural (cutaneous or proprioceptive).
- Increased stimulation parameters enhanced sensation intensity without altering quality; subjects performed well in tasks using this artificial sensation.
Conclusions:
- Electrical stimulation of the somatosensory cortex via mini-ECoG grids shows significant potential for restoring useful sensation.
- This approach could greatly benefit patients undergoing motor control rehabilitation due to paralysis or amputation.
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