scholarly journals Self-Paced Online vs. Cue-Based Offline Brain–Computer Interfaces for Inducing Neural Plasticity

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mads Jochumsen ◽  
Muhammad Samran Navid ◽  
Rasmus Wiberg Nedergaard ◽  
Nada Signal ◽  
Usman Rashid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Neural Plasticity ◽  
Stroke Rehabilitation ◽  
Cortical Plasticity ◽  
Cortical Excitability ◽  
Motor Evoked Potentials ◽  
Brain Computer Interfaces ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Computer Interfaces ◽  
The Absolute

Brain–computer interfaces (BCIs), operated in a cue-based (offline) or self-paced (online) mode, can be used for inducing cortical plasticity for stroke rehabilitation by the pairing of movement-related brain activity with peripheral electrical stimulation. The aim of this study was to compare the difference in cortical plasticity induced by the two BCI modes. Fifteen healthy participants participated in two experimental sessions: cue-based BCI and self-paced BCI. In both sessions, imagined dorsiflexions were extracted from continuous electroencephalogram (EEG) and paired 50 times with the electrical stimulation of the common peroneal nerve. Before, immediately after, and 30 min after each intervention, the cortical excitability was measured through the motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) of tibialis anterior elicited through transcranial magnetic stimulation. Linear mixed regression models showed that the MEP amplitudes increased significantly (p < 0.05) from pre- to post- and 30-min post-intervention in terms of both the absolute and relative units, regardless of the intervention type. Compared to pre-interventions, the absolute MEP size increased by 79% in post- and 68% in 30-min post-intervention in the self-paced mode (with a true positive rate of ~75%), and by 37% in post- and 55% in 30-min post-intervention in the cue-based mode. The two modes were significantly different (p = 0.03) at post-intervention (relative units) but were similar at both post timepoints (absolute units). These findings suggest that immediate changes in cortical excitability may have implications for stroke rehabilitation, where it could be used as a priming protocol in conjunction with another intervention; however, the findings need to be validated in studies involving stroke patients.

scholarly journals Investigation of Optimal Afferent Feedback Modality for Inducing Neural Plasticity with A Self-Paced Brain-Computer Interface

Sensors ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 3761 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mads Jochumsen ◽  
Sylvain Cremoux ◽  
Lucien Robinault ◽  
Jimmy Lauber ◽  
Juan Arceo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neural Plasticity ◽  
Tibialis Anterior ◽  
Cortical Plasticity ◽  
Cortical Excitability ◽  
Motor Evoked Potentials ◽  
Passive Movement ◽  
Afferent Feedback ◽  
Computer Interfaces ◽  
Mixed Regression ◽  
Feedback Modalities

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) can be used to induce neural plasticity in the human nervous system by pairing motor cortical activity with relevant afferent feedback, which can be used in neurorehabilitation. The aim of this study was to identify the optimal type or combination of afferent feedback modalities to increase cortical excitability in a BCI training intervention. In three experimental sessions, 12 healthy participants imagined a dorsiflexion that was decoded by a BCI which activated relevant afferent feedback: (1) electrical nerve stimulation (ES) (peroneal nerve—innervating tibialis anterior), (2) passive movement (PM) of the ankle joint, or (3) combined electrical stimulation and passive movement (Comb). The cortical excitability was assessed with transcranial magnetic stimulation determining motor evoked potentials (MEPs) in tibialis anterior before, immediately after and 30 min after the BCI training. Linear mixed regression models were used to assess the changes in MEPs. The three interventions led to a significant (p < 0.05) increase in MEP amplitudes immediately and 30 min after the training. The effect sizes of Comb paradigm were larger than ES and PM, although, these differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). These results indicate that the timing of movement imagery and afferent feedback is the main determinant of induced cortical plasticity whereas the specific type of feedback has a moderate impact. These findings can be important for the translation of such a BCI protocol to the clinical practice where by combining the BCI with the already available equipment cortical plasticity can be effectively induced. The findings in the current study need to be validated in stroke populations.

scholarly journals Investigating the impact of feedback update interval on the efficacy of restorative brain–computer interfaces

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (8) ◽  
pp. 170660 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sam Darvishi ◽  
Michael C. Ridding ◽  
Brenton Hordacre ◽  
Derek Abbott ◽  
Mathias Baumert
Keyword(s):  
Sensory Feedback ◽  
Motor Evoked Potentials ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Maximum Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Brain Computer Interfaces ◽  
Computer Interfaces ◽  
Timely Fashion ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
The Impact

Restorative brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) have been proposed to enhance stroke rehabilitation. Restorative BCIs are able to close the sensorimotor loop by rewarding motor imagery (MI) with sensory feedback. Despite the promising results from early studies, reaching clinically significant outcomes in a timely fashion is yet to be achieved. This lack of efficacy may be due to suboptimal feedback provision. To the best of our knowledge, the optimal feedback update interval (FUI) during MI remains unexplored. There is evidence that sensory feedback disinhibits the motor cortex. Thus, in this study, we explore how shorter than usual FUIs affect behavioural and neurophysiological measures following BCI training for stroke patients using a single-case proof-of-principle study design. The action research arm test was used as the primary behavioural measure and showed a clinically significant increase (36%) over the course of training. The neurophysiological measures including motor evoked potentials and maximum voluntary contraction showed distinctive changes in early and late phases of BCI training. Thus, this preliminary study may pave the way for running larger studies to further investigate the effect of FUI magnitude on the efficacy of restorative BCIs. It may also elucidate the role of early and late phases of motor learning along the course of BCI training.

Brain-computer interfaces for stroke rehabilitation: summary of the 2016 BCI Meeting in Asilomar

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 41-57
Author(s):  
Christoph Guger ◽  
José del R. Millán ◽  
Donatella Mattia ◽  
Junichi Ushiba ◽  
Surjo R. Soekadar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stroke Rehabilitation ◽  
Brain Computer Interfaces ◽  
Computer Interfaces

scholarly journals S192. EFFECTS OF NICOTINE INTAKE ON NEUROPLASTICITY IN SMOKING AND NON-SMOKING PATIENTS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S111-S112
Author(s):  
Benjamin Pross ◽  
Patrick Schulz ◽  
Duygu Güler ◽  
Irina Papazova ◽  
Elias Wagner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Direct Current ◽  
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Cortical Plasticity ◽  
Cortical Excitability ◽  
Motor Evoked Potentials ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Pathophysiological Mechanism ◽  
Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Nicotine Consumption

Abstract Background Cortical plasticity – the ability to reorganize synaptic connections and adapt to environmental changes – appears to be impaired in schizophrenia patients. Results suggest the dysfunctional plasticity to be a key pathophysiological mechanism. Different non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques have been used to modulate and induce cortical plasticity. In healthy subjects, nicotine was shown to play an important role in plasticity induction and is capable to alter cortical excitability and plasticity, induced by NIBS techniques. Our goal was to investigate the promising effects of a nicotine receptor activation done by Varenicline and the combination with anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) on neuroplastic changes in schizophrenia patients. Methods Our sample consisted out of twenty-four individuals with schizophrenia, twelve smokers and twelve non-smokers. Every participant received Varenicline and Placebo, combined with anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS), to induce non-focal plasticity. We inferred plasticity changes by monitoring changes in cortical excitability. This was done via motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) elicited by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). The MEPs were recorded before and three hours after Varenicline/Placebo intake. Following the direct current stimulation, we monitored excitability changes for up to one hour. Results Significant effects through the mere Varenicline consumption or withdrawal effects could not be found in any group. However, we observed a numeric temporary decrease of excitability after a-tDCS in non-smokers following Varenicline intake. This decrease compared to the placebo condition was visible 20 minutes after a-tDCS but vanished over time. Smokers did not show any excitability changes after a-tDCS and the nicotinic receptor stimulation did not show any influence. Excitability changes after stimulation in contrast to the baseline measurement were not evident. Discussion Our results show that an activation of nicotinic receptors in schizophrenia patients does not induce excitability changes. The modulating effect of nicotine in plasticity induction via anodal transcranial direct current stimulation could not be confirmed for patients with schizophrenia. We could show that chronic nicotine consumption in patients with schizophrenia or nicotine withdrawal does not lead to fundamental excitability changes. Acute nicotine consumption has only small effects on cortical excitability in non-smokers.

Cortical Excitability in Chronic Stroke and Modulation by Training: A TMS Study

2009 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 486-493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jakob Udby Blicher ◽  
Johannes Jakobsen ◽  
Grethe Andersen ◽  
Jørgen Feldbæk Nielsen
Keyword(s):  
Inhibitory Activity ◽  
Cortical Plasticity ◽  
Cortical Excitability ◽  
Motor Evoked Potentials ◽  
Training Session ◽  
Intracortical Inhibition ◽  
Intracortical Circuits ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Healthy Participants ◽  
Pulse Stimulation

Background. A possible role for GABA in regulating cortical plasticity after stroke has been proposed. Objective. To investigate changes in intracortical inhibitory and facilitatory circuits in the affected hemisphere more than 6 months after stroke, as well as modulation of excitability by a single training session. Methods. A total of 22 patients >6 months after stroke were compared to age- and gender-matched healthy participants. Cortical excitability was assessed by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), including paired-pulse stimulation, before and up to 30 minutes after a single 15-minute session of 1 Hz thumb abduction-adduction movements. Results. At baseline, TMS showed decreased intracortical inhibition in the affected hemisphere of patients ( P = .004) compared to healthy participants. After training a short-lasting decline in motor evoked potentials was observed in both patients ( P = .002) and healthy participants ( P = .06). Moreover, in healthy participants, inhibitory activity decreased up to 30 minutes after training whereas no significant change was seen in the patients. Conclusions. The findings indicate that inhibitory intracortical circuits are less active after stroke, and no change in inhibitory activity is evident after a single training session. This may indicate that intracortical disinhibition is beneficial during recovery and that an impaired capacity for modulation remains in the chronic stage of stroke.

scholarly journals Using brain–computer interfaces to induce neural plasticity and restore function

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 025004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moritz Grosse-Wentrup ◽  
Donatella Mattia ◽  
Karim Oweiss
Keyword(s):  
Neural Plasticity ◽  
Brain Computer Interfaces ◽  
Computer Interfaces

scholarly journals A Virtual Reality Muscle–Computer Interface for Neurorehabilitation in Chronic Stroke: A Pilot Study

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (13) ◽  
pp. 3754 ◽  
Author(s):  
Octavio Marin-Pardo ◽  
Christopher M. Laine ◽  
Miranda Rennie ◽  
Kaori L. Ito ◽  
James Finley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Neural Plasticity ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Chronic Stroke ◽  
Stroke Recovery ◽  
Brain Computer Interfaces ◽  
Chronic Stage ◽  
Computer Interfaces ◽  
Standard Clinical Practice

Severe impairment of limb movement after stroke can be challenging to address in the chronic stage of stroke (e.g., greater than 6 months post stroke). Recent evidence suggests that physical therapy can still promote meaningful recovery after this stage, but the required high amount of therapy is difficult to deliver within the scope of standard clinical practice. Digital gaming technologies are now being combined with brain–computer interfaces to motivate engaging and frequent exercise and promote neural recovery. However, the complexity and expense of acquiring brain signals has held back widespread utilization of these rehabilitation systems. Furthermore, for people that have residual muscle activity, electromyography (EMG) might be a simpler and equally effective alternative. In this pilot study, we evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of an EMG-based variant of our REINVENT virtual reality (VR) neurofeedback rehabilitation system to increase volitional muscle activity while reducing unintended co-contractions. We recruited four participants in the chronic stage of stroke recovery, all with severely restricted active wrist movement. They completed seven 1-hour training sessions during which our head-mounted VR system reinforced activation of the wrist extensor muscles without flexor activation. Before and after training, participants underwent a battery of clinical and neuromuscular assessments. We found that training improved scores on standardized clinical assessments, equivalent to those previously reported for brain–computer interfaces. Additionally, training may have induced changes in corticospinal communication, as indexed by an increase in 12–30 Hz corticomuscular coherence and by an improved ability to maintain a constant level of wrist muscle activity. Our data support the feasibility of using muscle–computer interfaces in severe chronic stroke, as well as their potential to promote functional recovery and trigger neural plasticity.

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