Research
Brain-Machine Interfaces
Brain-machine interfaces (BMIs; also called brain-computer interfaces or neuroprostheses) are devices that connect neural circuits to machines. BMIs hold promise to cure sensory and motor deficits that result from neurological diseases or trauma. Researchers also hope that BMIs will be used to treat cognitive deficits. Currently, the major classes of BMIs are: motor, sensory and bidirectional. Motor BMIs decode motor intentions from brain activity and convert them into movements of artificial actuators, such as computer cursors and robotic limbs. Sensory BMIs deliver artificial sensations from machines to sensory areas of the brain, commonly using intracortical microstimulation. Bidirectional BMIs, also called brain-machine brain interfaces (BMBIs), both extract motor information from the brain and enable artificial sensations. Read more
Literature
Lebedev and Nicolelis (2011) Towards a whole body neuroprosthetic. Prog Brain Res 194: 47-60.
Nicolelis and Lebedev (2009) Principles of neural ensemble physiology underlying the operation of brain-machine interfaces. Nature Rev Neurosci 10: 530-540.
Lebedev and Nicolelis (2006) Brain-machine interfaces: past, present and future. Trends in Neurosci 29: 493-546.