Brain–computer–interface holds hope for neurological suffers

People who are unable to communicate are often isolated from the external world, so Curtin University's Associate Professor Tele Tan is working on a project designed to help those with communication difficulties 'break on through to the other side'.

A/Prof Tele Tan from Curtin's School of Electrical Engineering and Computing uses Electroencephalography (EEG) signals to measure neurological responses in the brain when an individual is presented with environmental stimuli.

The EEG signals then works as a "brain computer interface" (BCI) so that researchers can monitor changes and improvement in brain activity.

The goal is to use the BCI as a way of one day rehabilitating and treating patients with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), severe paralysis or stroke.

The technology works by having multiple electrodes placed on a patient's scalp, so the signals can be interpreted by an external computer interface to measure how well they have responded to stimuli such as smell, sight, taste, touch and sound.

For example, A/Prof Tan says the technology can be embedded into a computer game as a platform to motivate engagement in children with ASD.

"With EEG you can then capture the various states of brain activity," he says.

"One of these states is 'attentiveness', so we can extract signals that relate to attention by placing an electrode roughly above the eye region, which measures frontal lobe activity.

"You can then use this level to drive the engagement of a game—to give them incentive to complete the game faster if you pay attention.

"It treats the patient by giving them the tools to be attentive by an incentive, and while doing this we are measuring the responses.

"However, this alone is not useful. So after that you present a mathematical problem and see if there is an improvement in mathematical ability."

A/Prof Tan also says EEG can be used as a mechanism to measure how well those with Asperger's syndrome can recognise faces, by presenting them with photos and measuring the brain signal.

A/Prof Tan is now launching a small-scale trial involving five adults with ASD and five control adults to measure the different neurological responses of the participants.

He says he hopes one day the technology will become available for patients who are unable to communicate due to stroke.

"It is very intriguing because it works on the principle of neuro-plasticity," he says.

"The brain is a plastic, organic organ. Which means new experiences can lead to changes in neuronal pathways."

A/Prof Tan says the next step is to secure funding to support the research.

By: Laura Glitsos

(Source: ScienceNetwork WA)