Brain-computer interface using fMRI: spatial navigation by thoughts.
A brain-computer interface (BCI) is a way of conveying an individual's thoughts to control computer or electromechanical hardware. Capitalizing on the ability to characterize brain activity in a reproducible manner, we explored the possibility of using real-time fMRI to interpret the spatial distribution of brain function as BCI commands. Using a high-field (3T) MRI scanner, brain activities associated with four distinct covert functional tasks were detected and subsequently translated into predetermined computer commands for moving four directional cursors. The proposed fMRI-BCI method allowed volunteer subjects to navigate through a simple 2D maze solely through their thought processes.
Yoo
Seung-Schik
SS
Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA. yoo@bwh.harvard.edu
Fairneny
Ty
T
Chen
Nan-Kuei
NK
Choo
Seh-Eun
SE
Panych
Lawrence P
LP
Park
HyunWook
H
Lee
Soo-Young
SY
Jolesz
Ferenc A
FA
D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D038361:Neuronavigation; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013850:Thinking / Q000502:physiology*; D014584:User-Computer Interface
D010100:Oxygen