Brain Computer Interface

Over the past decade, many laboratories have begun to explore brain?computer interface (BCI) technology as a radically new communication option for those with enormous impairments that prevent them from using conventional augmentative communication methods. BCI’s provide these users with communication channels that do not depend on peripheral nerves and muscles. This article summarizes the first international meeting devoted to BCI research and development. Current BCI’s use electroencephalographic (EEG) activity recorded at the scalp or single-unit activity recorded from within cortex to control cursor movement, select letters or icons, or operate a neuroprosthesis. The central element in each BCI is a translation algorithm that converts electrophysiological input from the user into output that controls external devices. BCI operation depends on effective interaction between two adaptive controllers, the user who encodes his or her commands in the electrophysiological input provided to the BCI, and the BCI which issues important for BCI applications, to BCI software development. Together they constitute a comprehensive review of the present state of BCI research. The following two days were devoted to six discussion sessions, each led by a panel of five to seven people; and each ad- dressing a set of questions focused on a single important aspect of BCI research and development. Evenings were occupied with demonstrations of BCI technology and by poster presentations. The discussion sessions were designed to cover the full range of crucial issues, from the essential features of any BCI, to the brain activity it uses, to the algorithms that translate that activity into control signals, to user?system interactions, to re- search methods and standards, to practical applications in rehabilitation settings. The sections that follow, written by the panel chairmen, summarize the contents and conclusions of these discussions. Taken together, these summaries touch on each key issue at least once and often more than once and in different ways