Brain-computer interface based on sensory associations

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20H04219
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 61020:Human interface and interaction-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo Institute of Technology
• Principal Investigator: Yoshimura Natsue 東京工業大学, 科学技術創成研究院, 准教授 (00581315)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 島田 洋一 秋田大学, 名誉教授, 名誉教授 (90162685)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 脳波 / 脳情報解読 / ブレイン・マシン・インタフェース

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aimed to extract Yes/No intentions by creating associations between cognitive Yes/No responses and brain activity related to sensory functions. As a result of examining which sensations are suitable for the association, the sensations obtained during electrical stimulation of the vestibular organs, which control the sense of balance, were found to be effective. The effect was confirmed not only in normal participants, but also in patients with completely locked-in syndrome, who were measured with the help of German collaborators. An application for Clinical Trials Act was submitted and approved to conduct the study on ALS patients in Japan, and measurements on two ALS patients could be conducted in the final year of the study due to COVID-19.

Free Research Field

脳活動信号処理

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

自発運動制御に関する機能が消失していく筋萎縮性側索硬化症（ALS）患者のための意思伝達システム構築を目指す中で、本研究は全ての運動機能が消失した後の完全閉じ込め症候群においても利用できるシステム構築を目指すものである。シンプルなYes/Noの返答を別の感覚刺激と連想付けることで、その感覚刺激に起因する脳活動パターンを利用してYes/Noの判別精度が向上することが示唆されたことは、この手法の実現可能性を示唆するものと考えられる。