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Advancing Brain-Computer Interface Applications for Severely Disabled Children Through a Multidisciplinary National
Eli Kinney-Lang1,2,3, Dion Kelly1,2,3, Erica D Floreani1,2,3
1Department of Pediatrics and Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Insights
Thousands of children with neurological conditions can benefit from brain-computer interfaces (BCI). A new network, BCI-CAN, aims to bridge the gap between BCI technology and pediatric patients, fostering innovation for improved communication and interaction.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Thousands of youth with acquired brain injury or early-life neurological diseases face limited communication and interaction.
- Cognitively capable children with severe physical impairments are ideal candidates for brain-computer interfaces (BCI).
- A significant gap exists between BCI technological advancements and the needs of pediatric patients and their families.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the potential of BCI for children with severe neurological conditions.
- To address the historical neglect of children in BCI research.
- To introduce the pediatric BCI Canada collaborative network (BCI-CAN) and its mission.
Main Methods:
- Review of discussions from the foundational BCI-CAN meeting in Toronto, November 2019.
- Analysis of the current state of pediatric BCI research and development.
- Identification of key challenges and future directions for pediatric BCI.
Main Results:
- Children can learn to operate simple BCI systems with proficiency comparable to adults.
- BCI technology holds significant potential to improve the quality of life for children with severe physical impairments.
- A collaborative approach is essential to advance pediatric BCI innovation.
Conclusions:
- The formation of BCI-CAN signifies a crucial step towards uniting researchers and stakeholders in pediatric BCI.
- Further collaborative efforts are required to translate BCI innovations into tangible benefits for children with neurological diseases and their families.
- Addressing the specific needs of pediatric populations is vital for the successful implementation of BCI solutions.
Abstract:
Thousands of youth suffering from acquired brain injury or other early-life neurological disease live, mature, and learn with only limited communication and interaction with their world. Such cognitively capable children are ideal candidates for brain-computer interfaces (BCI). While BCI systems are rapidly evolving, a fundamental gap exists between technological innovators and the patients and families who stand to benefit. Forays into translating BCI systems to children in recent years have revealed that kids can learn to operate simple BCI with proficiency akin to adults. BCI could bring significant boons to the lives of many children with severe physical impairment, supporting their complex physical and social needs. However, children have been neglected in BCI research and a collaborative BCI research community is required to unite and push pediatric BCI development forward. To this end, the pediatric BCI Canada collaborative network (BCI-CAN) was formed, under a unified goal to cooperatively drive forward pediatric BCI innovation and impact. This article reflects on the topics and discussions raised in the foundational BCI-CAN meeting held in Toronto, ON, Canada in November 2019 and suggests the next steps required to see BCI impact the lives of children with severe neurological disease and their families.
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