At-Home Movement State Classification Using Totally Implantable Bidirectional Cortical-Basal Ganglia Neural Interface

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biomedical Engineering
• Neuromodulation

Background:

• Current brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) rely on external computers for movement decoding, limiting studies to short-term laboratory settings.
• Implantable devices with sensing capabilities offer potential for long-term, real-world neural monitoring and intervention.
• The feasibility of on-board algorithms for real-time movement state classification in fully implanted devices remains unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the capability of a fully implanted, sensing-enabled neurostimulator to decode natural movement states from neural activity.
• To determine if on-board algorithms can accurately classify movement states in real-time using long-term, at-home recordings.
• To establish a pipeline for generating ecologically valid movement biomarkers for therapeutic advancement.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a totally implanted sensing-enabled neurostimulator for long-term, at-home recordings from the motor cortex and pallidum.
• Recorded neural activity from four subjects with Parkinson's disease during natural movements.
• Correlated neural signatures with gait states identified by wearable sensors.
• Developed and tested on-board algorithms for real-time classification of movement states.

Main Results:

• Successfully identified personalized neural signatures highly sensitive and specific to gait state.
• Demonstrated real-time classification of movement states using on-board algorithms.
• Validated the use of at-home data for generating compatible biomarkers for the embedded classifier.

Conclusions:

• Fully implanted neurostimulators can decode natural movement states from neural activity using on-board algorithms.
• This technology enables long-term, ecologically valid studies of brain circuits and movement.
• Offers a novel pipeline for developing personalized biomarkers to advance therapies for various neurological conditions.