%0 Journal Article %J Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener %D 2014 %T Brain-computer interface (BCI) evaluation in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. %A McCane, Lynn M %A Sellers, Eric W %A Dennis J. McFarland %A Mak, Joseph N %A Carmack, C Steve %A Zeitlin, Debra %A Jonathan Wolpaw %A Theresa M Vaughan %K Adult %K Aged %K Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis %K Biofeedback, Psychology %K brain-computer interfaces %K Communication Disorders %K Electroencephalography %K Event-Related Potentials, P300 %K Female %K Humans %K Male %K Middle Aged %K Online Systems %K Photic Stimulation %K Psychomotor Performance %K Reaction Time %X Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) might restore communication to people severely disabled by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or other disorders. We sought to: 1) define a protocol for determining whether a person with ALS can use a visual P300-based BCI; 2) determine what proportion of this population can use the BCI; and 3) identify factors affecting BCI performance. Twenty-five individuals with ALS completed an evaluation protocol using a standard 6 × 6 matrix and parameters selected by stepwise linear discrimination. With an 8-channel EEG montage, the subjects fell into two groups in BCI accuracy (chance accuracy 3%). Seventeen averaged 92 (± 3)% (range 71-100%), which is adequate for communication (G70 group). Eight averaged 12 (± 6)% (range 0-36%), inadequate for communication (L40 subject group). Performance did not correlate with disability: 11/17 (65%) of G70 subjects were severely disabled (i.e. ALSFRS-R < 5). All L40 subjects had visual impairments (e.g. nystagmus, diplopia, ptosis). P300 was larger and more anterior in G70 subjects. A 16-channel montage did not significantly improve accuracy. In conclusion, most people severely disabled by ALS could use a visual P300-based BCI for communication. In those who could not, visual impairment was the principal obstacle. For these individuals, auditory P300-based BCIs might be effective. %B Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener %V 15 %P 207-15 %8 06/2014 %G eng %U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24555843 %N 3-4 %R 10.3109/21678421.2013.865750