Historical perspectives, challenges, and future directions of implantable brain-computer interfaces for sensorimotor applications

Santosh Chandrasekaran; Matthew Fifer; Stephan Bickel; Luke Osborn; Jose Herrero; Breanne Christie; Junqian Xu; Rory K J Murphy; Sandeep Singh; Matthew F Glasser; Jennifer L Collinger; Robert Gaunt; Ashesh D Mehta; Andrew Schwartz; Chad E Bouton

doi:10.1186/s42234-021-00076-6

Historical perspectives, challenges, and future directions of implantable brain-computer interfaces for sensorimotor applications

Bioelectron Med. 2021 Sep 22;7(1):14. doi: 10.1186/s42234-021-00076-6.

Authors

Santosh Chandrasekaran¹, Matthew Fifer², Stephan Bickel^{3

4

5}, Luke Osborn², Jose Herrero³, Breanne Christie², Junqian Xu⁶, Rory K J Murphy⁷, Sandeep Singh⁸, Matthew F Glasser⁹, Jennifer L Collinger^{10

11

12

13}, Robert Gaunt^{10

11

12

13}, Ashesh D Mehta^{3

4}, Andrew Schwartz¹⁴, Chad E Bouton^{15

16}

Affiliations

¹ Neural Bypass and Brain Computer Interface Laboratory, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, USA.
² Research and Exploratory Development Department, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, USA.
³ The Human Brain Mapping Laboratory, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, USA.
⁴ Department of Neurosurgery, Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Manhasset, NY, USA.
⁵ Department of Neurology, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Manhasset, NY, USA.
⁶ Departments of Radiology and Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
⁷ Department of Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
⁸ Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital, Allentown, PA, USA.
⁹ Departments of Radiology and Neuroscience, Washington University in St Louis, Saint Louis, MO, USA.
¹⁰ Rehabilitation Neural Engineering Labs, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
¹¹ Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
¹² Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
¹³ Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
¹⁴ McGowan Institute of Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
¹⁵ Neural Bypass and Brain Computer Interface Laboratory, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, USA. cbouton@northwell.edu.
¹⁶ Department of Molecular Medicine, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Manhasset, NY, USA. cbouton@northwell.edu.

Abstract

Almost 100 years ago experiments involving electrically stimulating and recording from the brain and the body launched new discoveries and debates on how electricity, movement, and thoughts are related. Decades later the development of brain-computer interface technology began, which now targets a wide range of applications. Potential uses include augmentative communication for locked-in patients and restoring sensorimotor function in those who are battling disease or have suffered traumatic injury. Technical and surgical challenges still surround the development of brain-computer technology, however, before it can be widely deployed. In this review we explore these challenges, historical perspectives, and the remarkable achievements of clinical study participants who have bravely forged new paths for future beneficiaries.

Publication types

Review