Brain-computer interfaces

Brain-Computer Interfaces

A Brain-Computer Interface (BCI), also known as a Brain-Machine Interface (BMI), is a direct communication pathway between an enhanced or wired brain and an external device. BCIs are often directed at researching, mapping, assisting, augmenting, or repairing human cognitive or sensory-motor functions.

History

The concept of BCIs emerged in the 1970s at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), under a grant from the National Science Foundation. The first direct brain interface was implanted in a human in 1998 by Philip Kennedy and his team at Emory University.

Principles of Operation

BCIs operate by detecting brain signals, analyzing them, and translating them into commands that are relayed to output devices that carry out desired actions. The primary types of brain signals used in BCIs include:

• Electroencephalography (EEG): Measures electrical activity of the brain using electrodes placed on the scalp.
• Intracortical Neuron Recording: Involves implanting electrodes directly into the brain to record the activity of individual neurons.
• Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI): Measures brain activity by detecting changes associated with blood flow.

Applications

BCIs have a wide range of applications, including:

• Medical: Assisting individuals with severe motor disabilities, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or spinal cord injuries, to communicate or control prosthetic devices.
• Neuroprosthetics: Developing prosthetic limbs that can be controlled by brain signals.
• Gaming and Entertainment: Creating immersive experiences where users can control games or virtual environments with their thoughts.
• Military: Enhancing the capabilities of soldiers by integrating BCIs with advanced weaponry or communication systems.

Challenges

Despite their potential, BCIs face several challenges:

• Signal Noise: Brain signals are often weak and can be obscured by noise from other neural activity or external sources.
• Invasiveness: Many BCIs require surgical implantation, which carries risks and ethical concerns.
• Ethical and Privacy Issues: The ability to read and potentially influence thoughts raises significant ethical questions.

Future Directions

Research in BCIs is rapidly advancing, with future directions including:

• Non-invasive BCIs: Developing more effective non-invasive methods to reduce the need for surgical implants.
• Neurofeedback: Using BCIs to provide real-time feedback to users to help them modulate their brain activity.
• Brain-to-Brain Communication: Exploring the possibility of direct communication between brains using BCIs.

See Also

• Neurotechnology
• Cognitive neuroscience
• Human enhancement

References

• Lebedev, M. A., & Nicolelis, M. A. L. (2006). Brain–machine interfaces: past, present and future. Trends in Neurosciences, 29(9), 536-546.
• Wolpaw, J. R., & Wolpaw, E. W. (Eds.). (2012). Brain-computer interfaces: principles and practice. Oxford University Press.

External Links

• The BRAIN Initiative
• Neuralink