Brain Computer Interfaces Abstract:: History

Brain Computer Interfaces
 Abstract:
The field of Human Computer Interaction (HCI) is an interdisciplinary
development having roots in computer graphics, operating systems and human
factors.
This term implies that there is a bidirectional communication between the
computer and the user where each communication channel may utilize very
different techniques and devices for effective communication (one channel for user
input and one channel for feedback to the user by the computer).
Current devices for achieving input into the computer mainly require physical or
more precisely mechanical operation by the user, e.g. mouse and keyboard.
Feedback from the computer is commonly given by audio/visual elements, e.g.
speakers and monitors showing GUIs.
A somewhat unconventional approach to achieving human-computer-interaction

involves directly
translating thoughts of the user into commands to the computer. In this context the
term “thought” refers to the computer-aided interpretation of neuronal activities of
the user. Neuronal activities may
be recorded either at certain extremities of the human (arms, legs, etc.) or at the
brain itself by analyzing brain waves. In principle, this approach is not limited to
input into the computer but moreover may include methods for the computer to
give feedback to the user by directly stimulating neurons.
 History:
 Discovering the basics:

The history of Brain-Computer-Interfaces (BCI) starts with Hans Berger's
discovery of the electrical activity of human brain and the development of
electroencephalograpy (EEG).
By analyzing EEGs Berger was able to identify different waves or rhythms which are present in
a brain, as the Alpha Wave (8 – 12 Hz), also known as Berger's Wave.
Berger analyzed the interrelation of alternations in his EEG wave diagrams with brain diseases.
EEGs permitted completely new possibilities for the research of human brain activities.
However, it took until 1970 before the first development steps were taken to use brain activities
for simple communication systems. The Advanced Research Project Agency (ARPA) of
thegovernment of the United State of America became interested in this field of research. They
had the vision of increasing the performance of mental high load tasks by enhancing human
abilities with artificial computer power.
Monkeys first :
As almost all experiments which include a certain risk for human lives, the first experiments
wereconducted with animals.
It was found out that monkeys could get control over the firerate of individual neurons in the
primary motor cortex, which is responsible for executing voluntary movements after a short
period of training time.
The first wireless intracortial brain-computer interface was build by Philip Kennedy
and his colleagues by implanting neurotrophic cone electrodes into monkey brains.
However, the research in brain-computer-interfaces made only little progress during its first
years,but approximately 10 years ago an explosive development in this field started. Miguel
Nicolelis, a Brazilian physicist and scientist became the most popular
proponent of using multiarea recordings from neural ensembles as input for BCI
applications, as these recordings provide a very high quality. In the 90s Nicolelis team did inital
studies on rats, followed by the developmentof a BCI system that was able to decode monkeys'
brain activities. This data was used to translate the monkeys' movement to rudimentary robot
action.
They built a BCI system that was capable of reproducing a monkey's movement, while reaching
for food or using a joystick in real time.
Humans:
There have been many experiments using various techniques for “reading
the brain” such as the EEG, MEG, fMRI or similar methods. Some BCI designs rely on a
phenomenon called “Cortial Plasticity” which states that the location of certain processing
functions in the brain can change as the result of experience. This means that this type ofdesign
relies heavily on the user adapting to the BCI in order to make it function correctly. From
aHuman-Computer Interface point of view this is not an acceptable solution.
One of the first persons who benefit from all the years of BCI research is Matt
Nagle. In 2004 an electrode array was implanted into his brain to restore functionalities he had
lost due to paralysis. The system required some training but finally he was able to control the
TV, check emails and do basically everything that can be achieved by using a mouse.
Today many researchers at a lot of universities and laboratories are continuing BCI research.
Reading the brain – Neuroimaging in BCIs:

Neuroimaging:
includes the use of various techniques to either directly or indirectly image the structure,
function, or pharmacology of the brain. It is a relatively new discipline within medicine and
neuroscience.
1-Direct neural contact:

This is the most accurate method of recording potentials occuring in the brain as it has direct
contact to every neuron in the brain. Needless to say that this method is
highly invasive and impracticable with respect to our current technology. However, with ongoing
advances in nanotechnology this method might become reality.
2-Electroencephalography (EEG):
It measures theelectrical activity of the brain. Due to its ease of use, cost and high temporal
resolution this method is the most widely used one in BCIs nowadays.
EEGs are highly susceptible tonoise and thus require a significant amount of user training in
order to be operable in a BCI.
3-Magnetoencephalography (MEG):
Though similar to the EEG in that it is a non-evasive technology the MEG is a much newer
andmore accurate technology. Instead of measuring the electrical activity in the brain this
technologyrecords magnetic fields produced by it. The main drawbacks of this technology are its
highrequirements in equipment.
4-Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI):
This technique measures the haemodynamic response (blood flow and blood oxygenation)
related toneural activity in the brain by the use of MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging formerly
known as Magnetic Resonance Tomography MRT).
As this method requires MRI technology it needs very special equipment and thus is quite costly.
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Brain Computer Interfaces Abstract:: History

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Brain Computer Interfaces Abstract:: History

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Brain Computer Interfaces

A somewhat unconventional approach to achieving human-computer-interaction

 Discovering the basics:

Reading the brain – Neuroimaging in BCIs:

1-Direct neural contact:

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