Brain-Computer Interfaces for Restoration of Communication and Movement
Jonathan R. Wolpaw
Wadsworth Center
New York State Department of Health
Albany, New York
Brain-computer interface (BCI) research seeks to develop new augmentative
communication and control technology that does not depend on muscle control for people with
severe neuromuscular disorders, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), brainstem stroke, and
spinal cord injury. The immediate goal is to give these users, who may be totally paralyzed, or
"locked in," basic communication capabilities so that they can express their desires to caregivers
or even operate word processing programs or neuroprostheses. Current BCIs determine the intent
of the user from signals recorded noninvasively from the scalp (EEG) or invasively from the
cortical surface (ECoG) or from within the brain (neuronal action potentials or local field
potentials). These signals are translated into commands that operate a computer display or other
device. Successful operation requires that the user encode commands in these signals and that the
BCI derive the commands from the signals. Thus, the user and the BCI system need to adapt to
each other both initially and continually so as to ensure stable performance. BCI research and
development is an inherently interdisciplinary problem, involving neurobiology, psychology,
engineering, mathematics, computer science, and clinical rehabilitation. Its future progress and
eventual practical impact depend on a number of critical issues. These include: the relative
advantages and disadvantages of noninvasive and invasive methods; the optimal signal processing
techniques; the appropriate user groups and applications; factors affecting user acceptance; and
system simplification and minimization of the need for ongoing technical support. With proper
recognition and effective engagement of these issues, BCI systems could eventually be important
new communication and control options for people with motor disabilities and might also provide
to people without disabilities a supplementary control channel or a control channel useful in special
circumstances.
References
Wolpaw JR, Birbaumer N, McFarland DJ, Pfurtscheller G, Vaughan TM. Brain-computer
interfaces for communication and control. Clin Neurophysiol. 113:767-91, 2002. (Review)
Wolpaw JR, McFarland DJ. Control of a two-dimensional movement signal by a noninvasive
brain–computer interface in humans. Proc Nat Acad Sci 101:17849–17854, 2004.