Conscious Brain-to-Brain Communication in Humans Using Non-Invasive Technologies
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1
Starlab Barcelona, Spain
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2
University of Barcelona, Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychobiology, Psychology and Medicine Faculties, Spain
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3
Axilum Robotics, France
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4
University of Barcelona, Department of Basic Psychology, Spain
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5
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, United States
The recent development of brain-computer interfaces (BCI) has provided an important element for the creation of brain-to-brain communication systems, and precise brain stimulation techniques are now available for the realization of non-invasive computer-brain interfaces (CBI). These technologies, BCI and CBI, can be combined to realize the vision of non-invasive, computer-mediated brain-to-brain (B2B) communication between subjects (hyper-interaction). Here we demonstrate the conscious transmission of information between human brains through the intact scalp and without intervention of motor or peripheral sensory systems. Pseudo-random binary streams encoding words were transmitted between the minds of emitter and receiver subjects separated by great distances, representing the realization of the first human brain-to-brain interface.
In a series of experiments, we established internet-mediated B2B communication by combining a BCI based on voluntary motor imagery-controlled electroencephalographic (EEG) changes with a CBI inducing the conscious perception of phosphenes (light flashes) through neuronavigated, robotized transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), with special care taken to block sensory (tactile, visual or auditory) cues.
We provide a critical proof-of-principle demonstration for the development of conscious B2B communication technologies. Two 4 letter words where successfully transmitted.
More fully developed, related implementations will open new research venues in cognitive, social and clinical neuroscience and the scientific study of consciousness. We envision that hyper-interaction technologies will eventually have a profound impact on the social structure of our civilization and raise important ethical issues.
The recent development of brain-computer interfaces (BCI) has provided an important element for the creation of brain-to-brain communication systems, and precise brain stimulation techniques are now available for the realization of non-invasive computer-brain interfaces (CBI). These technologies, BCI and CBI, can be combined to realize the vision of non-invasive, computer-mediated brain-to-brain (B2B) communication between subjects (hyper-interaction). Here we demonstrate the conscious transmission of information between human brains through the intact scalp and without intervention of motor or peripheral sensory systems. Pseudo-random binary streams encoding words were transmitted between the minds of emitter and receiver subjects separated by great distances, representing the realization of the first human brain-to-brain interface.
In a series of experiments, we established internet-mediated B2B communication by combining a BCI based on voluntary motor imagery-controlled electroencephalographic (EEG) changes with a CBI inducing the conscious perception of phosphenes (light flashes) through neuronavigated, robotized transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), with special care taken to block sensory (tactile, visual or auditory) cues.
We provide a critical proof-of-principle demonstration for the development of conscious B2B communication technologies. Two 4 letter words where successfully transmitted.
More fully developed, related implementations will open new research venues in cognitive, social and clinical neuroscience and the scientific study of consciousness. We envision that hyper-interaction technologies will eventually have a profound impact on the social structure of our civilization and raise important ethical issues.
The recent development of brain-computer interfaces (BCI) has provided an important element for the creation of brain-to-brain communication systems, and precise brain stimulation techniques are now available for the realization of non-invasive computer-brain interfaces (CBI). These technologies, BCI and CBI, can be combined to realize the vision of non-invasive, computer-mediated brain-to-brain (B2B) communication between subjects (hyper-interaction). Here we demonstrate the conscious transmission of information between human brains through the intact scalp and without intervention of motor or peripheral sensory systems. Pseudo-random binary streams encoding words were transmitted between the minds of emitter and receiver subjects separated by great distances, representing the realization of the first human brain-to-brain interface.
In a series of experiments, we established internet-mediated B2B communication by combining a BCI based on voluntary motor imagery-controlled electroencephalographic (EEG) changes with a CBI inducing the conscious perception of phosphenes (light flashes) through neuronavigated, robotized transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), with special care taken to block sensory (tactile, visual or auditory) cues.
We provide a critical proof-of-principle demonstration for the development of conscious B2B communication technologies. Two 4 letter words where successfully transmitted.
More fully developed, related implementations will open new research venues in cognitive, social and clinical neuroscience and the scientific study of consciousness. We envision that hyper-interaction technologies will eventually have a profound impact on the social structure of our civilization and raise important ethical issues.
Keywords:
Brain-to-Brain Communication,
Non-invasive technologies,
Brain-Computer Interfaces,
computer-brain interfaces,
robotized transcranial magnetic stimulation
Conference:
2015 International Workshop on Clinical Brain-Machine Interfaces (CBMI2015), Tokyo, Japan, 13 Mar - 15 Mar, 2015.
Presentation Type:
Poster 2-5
Topic:
Clinical Brain-Machine Interfaces
Citation:
Grau
C,
Ginhoux
R,
Riera
A,
Nguyen
TL,
Chauvat
H,
Berg
M,
Amengual
JL,
Pascual-Leone
A and
Ruffini
G
(2015). Conscious Brain-to-Brain Communication in Humans Using Non-Invasive Technologies.
Conference Abstract:
2015 International Workshop on Clinical Brain-Machine Interfaces (CBMI2015).
doi: 10.3389/conf.fnhum.2015.218.00011
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Received:
23 Apr 2015;
Published Online:
29 Apr 2015.
*
Correspondence:
Dr. Alejandro Riera, Starlab Barcelona, Barcelona, 8035, Spain, alejandro.riera@starlab.es