EEG-based communication: presence of an error potential.
BACKGROUND
EEG-based communication could be a valuable new augmentative communication technology for those with severe motor disabilities. Like all communication methods, it faces the problem of errors in transmission. In the Wadsworth EEG-based brain-computer interface (BCI) system, subjects learn to use mu or beta rhythm amplitude to move a cursor to targets on a computer screen. While cursor movement is highly accurate in trained subjects, it is not perfect.


METHODS
In an effort to develop a method for detecting errors, this study compared the EEG immediately after correct target selection to that after incorrect selection.


RESULTS
The data showed that a mistake is followed by a positive potential centered at the vertex that peaks about 180 ms after the incorrect selection.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that this error potential might provide a method for detecting and voiding errors that requires no additional time and could thereby improve the speed and accuracy of EEG-based communication.
Schalk
G
G
Department of Medical Informatics, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria. schalk@wadsworth.org
Wolpaw
J R
JR
McFarland
D J
DJ
Pfurtscheller
G
G
D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012107:Research Design