Brain-computer interfaces for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Muscle Nerve. 2020 Jun;61(6):702-707. doi: 10.1002/mus.26828.

Abstract

A brain-computer interface (BCI) is a device that detects signals from the brain and transforms them into useful commands. Researchers have developed BCIs that utilize different kinds of brain signals. These different BCI systems have differing characteristics, such as the amount of training required and the degree to which they are or are not invasive. Much of the research on BCIs to date has involved healthy individuals and evaluation of classification algorithms. Some BCIs have been shown to have potential benefit for users with minimal muscular function as a result of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. However, there are still several challenges that need to be successfully addressed before BCIs can be clinically useful.

Keywords: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; brain-computer interface; neuroprosthetics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / physiopathology*
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / rehabilitation*
  • Brain / physiology*
  • Brain-Computer Interfaces / trends*
  • Electroencephalography / methods
  • Event-Related Potentials, P300 / physiology
  • Humans