AUTHOR=Lulé Dorothée , Hörner Katharina , Vazquez Cynthia , Aho-Özhan Helena , Keller Jürgen , Gorges Martin , Uttner Ingo , Ludolph Albert C. 

TITLE=Screening for Cognitive Function in Complete Immobility Using Brain–Machine Interfaces: A Proof of Principle Study

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Neuroscience

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2018

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2018.00517

DOI=10.3389/fnins.2018.00517

ISSN=1662-453X

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Background:</bold> In many neurological conditions, there is a combination of decline in physical function and cognitive abilities. For far advanced stages of physical disability where speaking and hand motor abilities are severely impaired, there is a lack of standardized approach to screen for cognitive profile.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold><italic>N</italic> = 40 healthy subjects were included in the study. For proof of principle, <italic>N</italic> = 6 ALS patients were additionally measured. For cognitive screening, we used the Edinburgh cognitive and behavioral ALS screen (ECAS) in the standard paper-and-pencil version. Additionally, we adapted the ECAS to a brain–machine interface (BMI) control module to screen for cognition in severely advanced patients.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> There was a high congruency between BMI version and the paper-and-pencil version of the ECAS. Sensitivity and specificity of the ECAS-BMI were mostly high whereas stress and weariness for the patient were low.</p><p><bold>Discussion/Conclusion:</bold> We hereby present evidence that adaptation of a standardized neuropsychological test for BMI control is feasible. BMI driven neuropsychological test provides congruent results compared to standardized tests with a good specificity and sensitivity but low patient load.</p>