TY - JOUR T1 - Brain-computer interfacing based on cognitive control. JF - Ann Neurol Y1 - 2010 A1 - Vansteensel, Mariska J A1 - Hermes, Dora A1 - Aarnoutse, Erik J A1 - Bleichner, Martin G A1 - Gerwin Schalk A1 - van Rijen, Peter C A1 - Leijten, Frans S S A1 - Ramsey, Nick F KW - Cognition KW - Computers KW - Electrodes KW - Electroencephalography KW - Epilepsy KW - Humans KW - Image Processing, Computer-Assisted KW - Magnetic Resonance Imaging KW - Neuropsychological Tests KW - Oxygen KW - Prefrontal Cortex KW - Psychomotor Performance KW - Spectrum Analysis KW - Time Factors KW - User-Computer Interface AB -

OBJECTIVE: 

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) translate deliberate intentions and associated changes in brain activity into action, thereby offering patients with severe paralysis an alternative means of communication with and control over their environment. Such systems are not available yet, partly due to the high performance standard that is required. A major challenge in the development of implantable BCIs is to identify cortical regions and related functions that an individual can reliably and consciously manipulate. Research predominantly focuses on the sensorimotor cortex, which can be activated by imagining motor actions. However, because this region may not provide an optimal solution to all patients, other neuronal networks need to be examined. Therefore, we investigated whether the cognitive control network can be used for BCI purposes. We also determined the feasibility of using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) for noninvasive localization of the cognitive control network.

METHODS: 

Three patients with intractable epilepsy, who were temporarily implanted with subdural grid electrodes for diagnostic purposes, attempted to gain BCI control using the electrocorticographic (ECoG) signal of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC).

RESULTS: 

All subjects quickly gained accurate BCI control by modulation of gamma-power of the left DLPFC. Prelocalization of the relevant region was performed with fMRI and was confirmed using the ECoG signals obtained during mental calculation localizer tasks.

INTERPRETATION: 

The results indicate that the cognitive control network is a suitable source of signals for BCI applications. They also demonstrate the feasibility of translating understanding about cognitive networks derived from functional neuroimaging into clinical applications.

VL - 67 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20517943 IS - 6 ER - TY - JOUR T1 - A practical procedure for real-time functional mapping of eloquent cortex using electrocorticographic signals in humans. JF - Epilepsy Behav Y1 - 2009 A1 - Peter Brunner A1 - A L Ritaccio A1 - Lynch, Timothy M A1 - Emrich, Joseph F A1 - Adam J Wilson A1 - Williams, Justin C A1 - Aarnoutse, Erik J A1 - Ramsey, Nick F A1 - Leuthardt, E C A1 - H Bischof A1 - Gerwin Schalk KW - Adult KW - Brain Mapping KW - Cerebral Cortex KW - Electric Stimulation KW - Electrodes, Implanted KW - Electroencephalography KW - Epilepsy KW - Female KW - Humans KW - Male KW - Middle Aged KW - Practice Guidelines as Topic KW - Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted KW - Young Adult AB -

Functional mapping of eloquent cortex is often necessary prior to invasive brain surgery, but current techniques that derive this mapping have important limitations. In this article, we demonstrate the first comprehensive evaluation of a rapid, robust, and practical mapping system that uses passive recordings of electrocorticographic signals. This mapping procedure is based on the BCI2000 and SIGFRIED technologies that we have been developing over the past several years. In our study, we evaluated 10 patients with epilepsy from four different institutions and compared the results of our procedure with the results derived using electrical cortical stimulation (ECS) mapping. The results show that our procedure derives a functional motor cortical map in only a few minutes. They also show a substantial concurrence with the results derived using ECS mapping. Specifically, compared with ECS maps, a next-neighbor evaluation showed no false negatives, and only 0.46 and 1.10% false positives for hand and tongue maps, respectively. In summary, we demonstrate the first comprehensive evaluation of a practical and robust mapping procedure that could become a new tool for planning of invasive brain surgeries.

VL - 15 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19366638 IS - 3 ER -