title: Neuroanatomical correlates of brain-computer interface performance.
abstract: Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) offer a potential means to replace or restore lost motor function. However, BCI performance varies considerably between users, the reasons for which are poorly understood. Here we investigated the relationship between sensorimotor rhythm (SMR)-based BCI performance and brain structure. Participants were instructed to control a computer cursor using right- and left-hand motor imagery, which primarily modulated their left- and right-hemispheric SMR powers, respectively. Although most participants were able to control the BCI with success rates significantly above chance level even at the first encounter, they also showed substantial inter-individual variability in BCI success rate. Participants also underwent T1-weighted three-dimensional structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The MRI data were subjected to voxel-based morphometry using BCI success rate as an independent variable. We found that BCI performance correlated with gray matter volume of the supplementary motor area, supplementary somatosensory area, and dorsal premotor cortex. We suggest that SMR-based BCI performance is associated with development of non-primary somatosensory and motor areas. Advancing our understanding of BCI performance in relation to its neuroanatomical correlates may lead to better customization of BCIs based on individual brain structure.
authors: Department of Functional Brain Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo 187-8502, Japan; Department of Advanced Neuroimaging, Integrative Brain Imaging Center, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan.
authors: Kazumi
authors: K
authors: Kasahara
authors: Department of Functional Brain Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo 187-8502, Japan; Department of Advanced Neuroimaging, Integrative Brain Imaging Center, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan.
authors: Charles Sayo
authors: CS
authors: DaSalla
authors: Department of Functional Brain Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo 187-8502, Japan; Department of Advanced Neuroimaging, Integrative Brain Imaging Center, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan.
authors: Manabu
authors: M
authors: Honda
authors: Department of Functional Brain Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo 187-8502, Japan; Department of Advanced Neuroimaging, Integrative Brain Imaging Center, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan; PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan. Electronic address: hanakawa@ncnp.go.jp.
authors: Takashi
authors: T
authors: Hanakawa
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D062207:Brain-Computer Interfaces; D003344:Cortical Synchronization; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D066128:Gray Matter / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007092:Imagination; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: BCI performance; Brain–computer interface; Event-related desynchronization; Motor cortex; Motor imagery; Voxel-based morphometry