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Brain–machine interfaces to restore motor function and probe neural circuits

Nature Reviews Neuroscience volume 4, pages 417–422 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

Recent studies have shown that it is possible to create functional, bidirectional, real-time interfaces between living brain tissue and artificial devices. It is reasonable to predict that further research on brain–machine interfaces will lead to the development of a new generation of neuroprosthetic devices aimed at restoring motor functions in severely paralysed patients. In addition, I propose that such interfaces can become the core of a new experimental approach with which to investigate the operation of neural systems in behaving animals.

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Figure 1: Schematic representation of a cortical neuroprosthetic device.
Figure 2: Experimental design used to test a closed-loop control brain–machine interface for motor control in macaque monkeys.
Figure 3: Distributed neural coding in colour vision.

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Acknowledgements

I thank S. Simon for his comments on the manuscript and G. Licholai for his help with statistical data on spinal cord injuries.

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  1. the Departments of Neurobiology, Biomedical Engineering, and Psychological and Brain Sciences, Box 3209, Bryan Research Building, Room 327E, 101 Research Drive, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, 27710, North Carolina, USA

    Miguel A. L. Nicolelis

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Nicolelis, M. Brain–machine interfaces to restore motor function and probe neural circuits. Nat Rev Neurosci 4, 417–422 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn1105

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