Cortical plasticity and brain computer interface. 


Author: Rossini PM, Noris Ferilli MA, Ferreri F.

Affiliation: Department of Neurology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy - paolomaria.rossini@afar.it. 
Conference/Journal: Eur J Phys Rehabil Med.
Date published: 2012 Jun
Other:
 Volume ID: 48   ,  Issue ID: 2   ,  Pages: 307-12   ,  Word Count: 167  
    

There is increasing evidence to support the concept that adult brain has the remarkable ability to plastically reorganize itself. Brain plasticity involves distinct functional and structural components and plays a crucial role in reorganizing central nervous system's networks after any lesion in order to partly or totally restore lost and/or compromised functions. The idea that a computer can decode brain electromagnetic signals to infer the intentions of a human and then enact those intentions directly through a machine is becoming a reasonable technical possibility. In neurological patients unable to move and to communicate with the external environment, technologies implementing brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) can be of valuable aid and support. The emerging possibility, through neuro-imaging advanced techniques, to clarify some crucial issues underlying brain plasticity will give the possibility to modulate these mechanisms in a BCI-oriented way. This approach may have a tremendous impact in a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders and the clinical advent of this technology will usher in a new era of restorative medicine.

PMID: 22614891