@article {4367, title = {Enhancing Communication for People in Late-Stage ALS Using an fNIRS-Based BCI System.}, journal = {IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng}, volume = {28}, year = {2020}, month = {05/2020}, pages = {1198-1207}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVE: Brain-computer interface (BCI) based communication remains a challenge for people with later-stage amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) who lose all voluntary muscle control. Although recent studies have demonstrated the feasibility of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to successfully control BCIs primarily for healthy cohorts, these systems are yet inefficient for people with severe motor disabilities like ALS. In this study, we developed a new fNIRS-based BCI system in concert with a single-trial Visuo-Mental (VM) paradigm to investigate the feasibility of enhanced communication for ALS patients, particularly those in the later stages of the disease.

METHODS: In the first part of the study, we recorded data from six ALS patients using our proposed protocol (fNIRS-VM) and compared the results with the conventional electroencephalography (EEG)-based multi-trial P3Speller (P3S). In the second part, we recorded longitudinal data from one patient in the late locked-in state (LIS) who had fully lost eye-gaze control. Using statistical parametric mapping (SPM) and correlation analysis, the optimal channels and hemodynamic features were selected and used in linear discriminant analysis (LDA).

RESULTS: Over all the subjects, we obtained an average accuracy of 81.3\%{\textpm}5.7\% within comparatively short times (< 4 sec) in the fNIRS-VM protocol relative to an average accuracy of 74.0\%{\textpm}8.9\% in the P3S, though not competitive in patients with no substantial visual problems. Our longitudinal analysis showed substantially superior accuracy using the proposed fNIRS-VM protocol (73.2\%{\textpm}2.0\%) over the P3S (61.8\%{\textpm}1.5\%).

SIGNIFICANCE: Our findings indicate the potential efficacy of our proposed system for communication and control for late-stage ALS patients.

}, keywords = {Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, brain-computer interfaces, Communication, Electroencephalography, Humans, Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared}, issn = {1558-0210}, doi = {10.1109/TNSRE.2020.2980772}, author = {Borgheai, Seyyed Bahram and McLinden, John and Zisk, Alyssa Hillary and Hosni, Sarah Ismail and Deligani, Roohollah Jafari and Abtahi, Mohammadreza and Mankodiya, Kunal and Shahriari, Yalda} } @article {2135, title = {A note on ethical aspects of BCI.}, journal = {Neural Netw}, volume = {22}, year = {2009}, month = {11/2009 }, pages = {1352-7}, abstract = {

This paper focuses on ethical aspects of BCI, as a research and a clinical tool, that are challenging for practitioners currently working in the field. Specifically, the difficulties involved in acquiring informed consent from locked-in patients are investigated, in combination with an analysis of the shared moral responsibility in BCI teams, and the complications encountered in establishing effective communication with media.

}, keywords = {Bioethics, Brain, Communication, Communications Media, Cooperative Behavior, Humans, Informed Consent, Professional-Patient Relations, Quadriplegia, User-Computer Interface}, issn = {1879-2782}, doi = {10.1016/j.neunet.2009.06.046}, url = {http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19616405}, author = {Haselager, Pim and Vlek, Rutger and Jeremy Jeremy Hill and Nijboer, F} } @article {3267, title = {An EEG-based brain-computer interface for cursor control.}, journal = {Electroencephalography and clinical neurophysiology}, volume = {78}, year = {1991}, month = {03/1991}, pages = {252{\textendash}259}, abstract = {This study began development of a new communication and control modality for individuals with severe motor deficits. We trained normal subjects to use the 8-12 Hz mu rhythm recorded from the scalp over the central sulcus of one hemisphere to move a cursor from the center of a video screen to a target located at the top or bottom edge. Mu rhythm amplitude was assessed by on-line frequency analysis and translated into cursor movement: larger amplitudes moved the cursor up and smaller amplitudes moved it down. Over several weeks, subjects learned to change mu rhythm amplitude quickly and accurately, so that the cursor typically reached the target in 3 sec. The parameters that translated mu rhythm amplitudes into cursor movements were derived from evaluation of the distributions of amplitudes in response to top and bottom targets. The use of these distributions was a distinctive feature of this study and the key factor in its success. Refinements in training procedures and in the distribution-based method used to translate mu rhythm amplitudes into cursor movements should further improve this 1-dimensional control. Achievement of 2-dimensional control is under study. The mu rhythm may provide a significant new communication and control option for disabled individuals.}, keywords = {Communication, computer control, EEG, mu rhythm, operant conditioning, prosthesis, sensorimotor rhythm}, issn = {0013-4694}, doi = {10.1016/0013-4694(91)90040-B}, url = {http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1707798}, author = {Jonathan Wolpaw and Dennis J. McFarland and Neat, G. W. and Forneris, C. A.} }