04251nas a2200505 4500008004100000022001400041245009900055210006900154260001200223300001200235490000700247520283600254653003103090653001503121653001003136653001003146653001003156653002703166653002903193653001103222653001103233653001303244653000903257653001603266653001703282653003303299653001903332653002803351653001303379653002203392653001303414653004303427653002803470653001303498100001603511700002203527700001803549700002103567700001903588700002103607700002203628700002703650700002003677856004803697 2008 eng d a0361-923000aNon-invasive brain-computer interface system: towards its application as assistive technology.0 aNoninvasive braincomputer interface system towards its applicati c04/2008 a796-8030 v753 a

The quality of life of people suffering from severe motor disabilities can benefit from the use of current assistive technology capable of ameliorating communication, house-environment management and mobility, according to the user's residual motor abilities. Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are systems that can translate brain activity into signals that control external devices. Thus they can represent the only technology for severely paralyzed patients to increase or maintain their communication and control options. Here we report on a pilot study in which a system was implemented and validated to allow disabled persons to improve or recover their mobility (directly or by emulation) and communication within the surrounding environment. The system is based on a software controller that offers to the user a communication interface that is matched with the individual's residual motor abilities. Patients (n=14) with severe motor disabilities due to progressive neurodegenerative disorders were trained to use the system prototype under a rehabilitation program carried out in a house-like furnished space. All users utilized regular assistive control options (e.g., microswitches or head trackers). In addition, four subjects learned to operate the system by means of a non-invasive EEG-based BCI. This system was controlled by the subjects' voluntary modulations of EEG sensorimotor rhythms recorded on the scalp; this skill was learnt even though the subjects have not had control over their limbs for a long time. We conclude that such a prototype system, which integrates several different assistive technologies including a BCI system, can potentially facilitate the translation from pre-clinical demonstrations to a clinical useful BCI.

10aActivities of Daily Living10aAdolescent10aAdult10aBrain10aChild10aElectroencephalography10aEvoked Potentials, Motor10aFemale10aHumans10aLearning10aMale10aMiddle Aged10aMotor Skills10aMuscular Dystrophy, Duchenne10aPilot Projects10aProstheses and Implants10aRobotics10aSelf-Help Devices10aSoftware10aSpinal Muscular Atrophies of Childhood10aUser-Computer Interface10aVolition1 aCincotti, F1 aMattia, Donatella1 aAloise, Fabio1 aBufalari, Simona1 aSchalk, Gerwin1 aOriolo, Giuseppe1 aCherubini, Andrea1 aMarciani, Maria Grazia1 aBabiloni, Fabio uhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18394526