AUTHOR=Murphy Maxwell D. , Guggenmos David J. , Bundy David T. , Nudo Randolph J. TITLE=Current Challenges Facing the Translation of Brain Computer Interfaces from Preclinical Trials to Use in Human Patients JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience VOLUME=9 YEAR=2016 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fncel.2015.00497 DOI=10.3389/fncel.2015.00497 ISSN=1662-5102 ABSTRACT=

Current research in brain computer interface (BCI) technology is advancing beyond preclinical studies, with trials beginning in human patients. To date, these trials have been carried out with several different types of recording interfaces. The success of these devices has varied widely, but different factors such as the level of invasiveness, timescale of recorded information, and ability to maintain stable functionality of the device over a long period of time all must be considered in addition to accuracy in decoding intent when assessing the most practical type of device moving forward. Here, we discuss various approaches to BCIs, distinguishing between devices focusing on control of operations extrinsic to the subject (e.g., prosthetic limbs, computer cursors) and those focusing on control of operations intrinsic to the brain (e.g., using stimulation or external feedback), including closed-loop or adaptive devices. In this discussion, we consider the current challenges facing the translation of various types of BCI technology to eventual human application.