A study of neural plasticity mechanisms behind brain-machine interface control and learning

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K01469
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Rehabilitation science/Welfare engineering
• Research Institution: Keio University
• Principal Investigator: Ushiba Junichi 慶應義塾大学, 理工学部(矢上), 准教授 (00383985)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: ブレイン・マシン・インターフェース / 可塑性 / 運動学習

Outline of Final Research Achievements

As the number of EEG-BMI trials was increased, the initial EEG response prior to the onset of BMI control, an analogue of motor-related cortical potentials, was gradually increased. The data suggests feedforward model of BCI control was maturated in a trial by trial manner. In parallel to such skill acquisition process, the researcher further explored alternative learning/plasticity process using f-MRI. The parietal-temporal regions were identified to determine successful BMI control, suggesting visuomotor adaptation/computation is a considerable key to facilitate BMI use. The subcortical reward systems were not activated in the current BMI setting. Gamified BMI may promote reward-based reinforcement learning. Finally, the researcher tested what parameters of neuromuscular electrical stimulation actuates peripheral sensory nerves to send facilitatory signals to the cortex. The study revealed that wide pulse, high frequency stimulation activated thalamus and sensorimotor cortex.

Free Research Field

神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

傷害を受け、病態が慢性化した脳にも、情報伝達効率や機能特性を変容させる可塑性能力があり、BMIリハによってそれを引き出すことができると現在は考えられている。しかし、BMIリハのどの要素が、脳のどこに働きかけ、どういったルールに基づいて何を変化させているのか、詳しいメカニズムは不明であった。メカニズムの理解なしには、「傷害脳の特性に応じた治療手技の改良」や「適用基準と併用禁忌の判定」が理論的におこなわれず、科学性に基づく医療の確立と今後のBMI研究の着実な発展が望めない。本研究によってメカニズムの一端が明らかになったことは、BMIの科学的発展や健全な医療応用を促す上で大きな意義がある。