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Articles    H4'ed 11/10/09

Biofeedback and Locked In Syndrome-- in ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis /Lou Gherig's Disease)

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"In essence, we are trying to provide the brain with new channels for communication and control by capturing and analyzing the electrical or electroencephalographic (EEG) activity produced in the brain, he explained. "Our goal is to restore communication functions.

To create an assistive "mental prosthesis, Donchin's extensive work is focused on capturing and reporting unique brain activity that occurs upon the visual observation of a rare or "oddball event. According to Donchin, the "oddball paradigm relies on a response to deviant stimuli embedded in a series of standard stimuli, such as letters, symbols and commands flashing randomly on a keyboard-like screen. By analyzing the electrical activity as event-related brain potential (ERP) generated by the oddball event, the user in Donchin's studies focuses attention on the character to be communicated as elements of the display are flashed on the screen.

"The chosen character is the one eliciting a ˜P300,' said Donchin. "Thus, by detecting which rows and columns in the display elicit a P300 the computer can determine the character the patient is trying to ˜type.'

In collaboration with the Wadsworth Institute at SUNY-Albany, Donchin's group has conducted numerous studies with healthy and disabled volunteers who, wearing electrodes on their scalp attaching them to the BCI, were placed in front of an electronic screen display of 26 letters of the alphabet and other symbols and commands in a six-by-six row and columns flashing in random sequence. Test subjects were able to "operate a virtual keyboard when their EEG reactions to oddball events in the random flashing were analyzed. Researchers found greater electrical response in the rarely presented, or oddball, stimuli and the spike in the subjects' EEG at time of the oddball event created a means of communication.

"Ideally, the subject can spell out a message by successively choosing among the 26 letters, explained Donchin. "We are examining the operating characteristics of this communication channel and analyzing the speed with which there was an EEG focus on the letter of interest.

Test subjects were able to communicate their choice of a letter at the rate of about one character every 26 seconds.

"This is, of course, a slow rate of communication, said Donchin. "But, considering there is no other channel of communication, even this slow rate is welcome.

Since coming to USF, Donchin with his student Eric Sellers tested more than 15 ALS patients and have established that, in general, the system works although many adjustments in the procedure are required to allow the use of the BCI in patients' homes.

Paralyzed Patients Use Brain Waves to Talk
A German researcher Tuesday described a new technique in which paralyzed patients can use their brain waves to communicate with loved ones and caregivers. The technique, which allows patients to spell out words on a computer screen, works well, but only as long as patients learn to use it before they become completely paralyzed, University of Tubingen psychology professor Niels Birbaumer told United Press International.

If a person cannot move, talk, or even blink, is it possible to communicate with his brain?

Brain-Computer Communication and Slow Cortical Potentials Abstract " A Thought-Translation-Device (TTD) has been designed to enable direct brain-computer communication using self regulation of slow cortical potentials (SCPs). However, accuracy of SCP control reveals high inter-subject variability. To guarantee the highest possible communication speed, some important aspects of training SCPs are discussed. A baseline correction of SCPs can increase performance. Multi-channel recordings show that SCPs are of highest amplitude around the vertex electrode used for feedback but in some subjects more global distributions were observed. A new method for control of eye movement are presented. Sequential effects of trial-to-trial interaction may also cause difficulties to the user. Finally, psychophysiological factors determining SCP-communication are discussed. The thought translation device: a neurophysiological approach to communication in total motor paralysis. Self-initiation of EEG-based communication in paralyzed patients. Biological feedback of brain and muscle activity: basic mechanisms and clinical applications (Niels Birbaumer's facility) Predictors of successful self control during brain-computer communication A non-invasive communication device for the paralyzed. Timing of EEG-based cursor control. Mind-reading machines close communication gap Using human extra-cortical local field potentials to control a switch* EEG Signal Classification for Brain Computer Interface Applications

DVD available from Futurehealth.org Niels Birbaumer Slow Cortical Potential biofeedback-- A new form of neurofeedback, with a long history of research support

Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology University of Tuebingen

This very different approach to training the brain is not used in the US, yet it has extensive research support, mostly done in Europe. Dr. Birbaumer, awarded the honor of the most respected scientist in Europe, has developed an approach which promises to add important new tools, dimensions and applications to the armamentarium of the neurofeedback practitioner.

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One theme has run through my work for the past 40 plus years-- a desire to play a role in waking people up, raising their consciousness and empowering them. I was the organizer founder of the Winter Brain, Optimal Functioning and Positive Psychology and StoryCon Meetings and president of Futurehealth, Inc., with interests in (more...)
 

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