Brain Computer Interfaces

Brain Computer Interfaces (BCI) refer to the processing brain imaging data in real-time. There are various types of BCIs, most famously spelling BCIs, which enable paralysed patients to communicate. By assigning different letters to different brain activities, individuals are able to learn how to select letters and, as a consequence, to communicate.

Another type of BCI is called neurofeedback. It visualises specific brain activities so that individuals can observe them in real-time. Thereby, they can learn how to control, increase or decrease this activity. Neurofeedback sees common applications in ergotherapeutic settings, for example for patients suffering from ADHD. However, the effectivity of the treatment is still not entirely validated, as more research is needed.

In very few cases of severe illness, electrodes are inserted into the brain, creating a BCI system that can help to control prosthetics. Newer technologies even aim to relay a feedback signal back into the brain, which simulate a feeling of touch or pressure in order to help grab or lift objects.

While the applications for BCIs in clinical settings are obvious, they are also crucially important for basic research. The timing of sensory stimuli can be matched perfectly to different neuronal activities in the brain. This way the causal effect of neural activity on information processing can be analysed.