Brain Interfacing
Brain-computer interfaces (BCI) are devices that can process brain activity, allowing direct communication between the brain and external devices. BCIs allow people to control machines and computers through their thoughts, using brain signals instead of traditional input methods such as keyboards. BCI technology has revolutionary potential, and scientists believe that one day patients with paralysis, muscle atrophy and other conditions can hopefully regain motor functions. Rehabilitation services could even take on the BCI technology to allow the acceleration of recovery for patients with injuries. This technology reads and interprets brain activity using electrodes which are placed on either the scalp, which is considered non-invasive, or directly on the brain’s surface, which is invasive.
How do they work?
Brain-computer interfaces produce electrical signals that are detectable on the scalp, on the cortical surfaces or within the brain. These devices translate the signals produced by the brain into outputs that function and allow people to communicate without the use of peripheral nerves and muscles.
The Potential of Brain Interfacing
1. Medical Applications
Brain Interfacing has the potential to restore lost abilities to people with neuromuscular disorders for example paralysis, stroke or ALS. BCIs can help individuals control prosthetic limbs or even stimulate their muscles to move again, which is incredible.
Paralysis Treatment: Researchers at UC San Fransisco and UC Berkley developed a BCI that has enabled a woman with severe paralysis from a brainstem stroke to speak through a digital avatar. Edward Chang, MD, chair of neurological surgery at UCSF and his team implanted a paper-thin rectangle made of 200 plus electrodes onto the surface of the woman’s brain which they discovered are critical areas for speech. The electrodes then intercepted the signals that if not for the stroke would have gone to her muscles, tongue, jaw and larynx as well as her face. The team then worked for weeks to train the AI algorithms to recognize her unique brain signals for speech, which involved repeating different phrases from a conversational vocabulary book until the computer recognized the brain activity patterns associated with sound. Previously Chang and his team demonstrated the possibility of decoding brain signals into text in a man who experienced a similar brainstem stroke however their new study explores the unlimited potential Brain Interfacing has. It also shows how BCI can decode the brain signals into speech along with facial animations and movement.
Prosthetic Control: a person can control a prosthetic arm or leg by thinking about moving that limb. Dr Murphy and his team presented their research at the Association of Academic Physiatrists Annual Meeting in Las Vegas. In the study, they worked with a person whose leg had been amputated just above the knee. They were able to place surface scalp electrodes to transfer the brainwave data to a computer software program. The participant of the study was taught how to activate the knee-locking switch through mental imaging. Rather than manually unlocking the knee to sit and lock or unlock the switch when standing or walking the participant could think his way into unlocking his prosthetic. In some cases BCI can also restore sensory feedback, allowing the user to ‘feel’ anything the prosthetic touches.
2. Augmenting Human Capabilities
Beyond medical rehabilitation, BCI can also augment human capabilities making us faster and smarter.
Enhancing Memory: Another type of BCI that scientists are trying to work on and develop are technologies that use implanted computers to augment the way our brains form and access memories. This new BCI technology can help restore a person’s ability to form new long-term memories typically lost after Alzheimer’s disease. Earlier scientists were working on storing memories in an external hippocampus but the development of the new BCI technology has used the principles of earlier studies as a foundation and transformed the forms of storing and recalling memories. Some developers of BCI imagine that it can even implant memories in a person’s mind, events that they never directly experienced. Other scientists also believe that these implants can be used on the general public in the future, spewing ethical dilemmas.
Brain-to-Brain Communication: Research has demonstrated the basic forms of brain-to-brain communication between humans. However, this was controlled in a laboratory setting. Still, the idea of sending messages directly from one person’s brain to another without speaking or texting or any other intermediates is highly fascinating.
3. Mental Health Treatment
Deep Brain Stimulation: (DBS) Although not exactly similar to BCI, DBS uses electrodes implanted in the brain in areas of moderate activity to treat Parkinson’s disease as well as other conditions such as depression and PTSD.
Challenges of Brain Interfacing
1. Power and Size
For BCI to be practical in our modern age and society it would be beneficial if these devices were small, energy-efficient and wireless. Current BCIs require external power sources and some have bulky equipment, which seems unpractical sometimes and restricts long-term use. Companies pioneering the BCI technology are working on improving their devices to be smaller, power wirelessly and last for prolonged periods before recharging is required.
2. Ethical and Privacy Concerns
As BCIs advance, concerns about privacy and control emerge. If brain Data can be accessed, and decoded (understood) it poses a grave risk of unauthorised control and some could go as far as to say mind reading. Invasive BCIs decode data directly from brain signals, this could potentially be used to access personal thoughts and memories. Companies have become aware of these concerns and are developing secure systems to protect brain data. The idea of being able to implant memories that someone didn’t directly experience also raises ethical concerns both in the judicial system and daily life.
Future of Brain Interfacing
1. Neural prosthetics and Mobility Restoration
In the future, BCI could fully restore mobility for paralyzed individuals. Ongoing research aims to allow not only full control of the prosthetic limb but also sensory feedback and allow users to feel with their prosthetic.
2. Neurofeedback and Mental Health
BCI can be used to help treat mental health conditions by providing real-time feedback. Early BCI-based treatments for depression involved stimulating brain regions which are associated with mood regulations. However, in the future, there is hope for treatments targeted at individuals who don’t respond to traditional therapy methods.
3. Human and AI interactions
A long-term vision of BCI is the possibility that Humans can have direct contact with AI, hence expanding cognitive capabilities. Some companies aim to create a direct interface between the human brain and computers (AI technology).
Conclusion
The future of brain interfacing is vast and endless, with numerous unexplored potential. It restores the physical and cognitive abilities of people and can mimic and improve human intelligence. There are challenges and causes of concern with BCIs but the transformative reward of this technology is astonishing.
Written by Achinthya
Moderated by Adelene
References
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