1. Tactile event-related potentials in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): Implications for brain-computer interface.
- Author
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Silvoni S, Konicar L, Prats-Sedano MA, Garcia-Cossio E, Genna C, Volpato C, Cavinato M, Paggiaro A, Veser S, De Massari D, and Birbaumer N
- Subjects
- Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Electric Stimulation methods, Electroencephalography methods, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis diagnosis, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis physiopathology, Brain-Computer Interfaces trends, Evoked Potentials physiology, Touch physiology, Vibration
- Abstract
Objective: We investigated neurophysiological brain responses elicited by a tactile event-related potential paradigm in a sample of ALS patients. Underlying cognitive processes and neurophysiological signatures for brain-computer interface (BCI) are addressed., Methods: We stimulated the palm of the hand in a group of fourteen ALS patients and a control group of ten healthy participants and recorded electroencephalographic signals in eyes-closed condition. Target and non-target brain responses were analyzed and classified offline. Classification errors served as the basis for neurophysiological brain response sub-grouping., Results: A combined behavioral and quantitative neurophysiological analysis of sub-grouped data showed neither significant between-group differences, nor significant correlations between classification performance and the ALS patients' clinical state. Taking sequential effects of stimuli presentation into account, analyses revealed mean classification errors of 19.4% and 24.3% in healthy participants and ALS patients respectively., Conclusions: Neurophysiological correlates of tactile stimuli presentation are not altered by ALS. Tactile event-related potentials can be used to monitor attention level and task performance in ALS and may constitute a viable basis for future BCIs., Significance: Implications for brain-computer interface implementation of the proposed method for patients in critical conditions, such as the late stage of ALS and the (completely) locked-in state, are discussed., (Copyright © 2015 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2016
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