Natural movement with concurrent brain-computer interface control induces persistent dissociation of neural activity

TL;DR

This study investigates how the human motor cortex can simultaneously control a brain-computer interface and overt movements, revealing persistent neural dissociation and potential for enhanced neuroprosthetic control.

Contribution

It demonstrates concurrent BCI control with overt movements from the same cortical site, showing neural dissociation and implications for neurorehabilitation.

Findings

Neural activity can be dissociated from overt movements during concurrent BCI control.

Motor cortex activity develops alongside BCI control without interference.

Persistent neural dissociation suggests potential for advanced neuroprosthetic applications.

Abstract

As Brain-computer interface (BCI) technology develops it is likely it may be incorporated into protocols that complement and supplement existing movements of the user. Two possible scenarios for such a control could be: the increasing interest to control artificial supernumerary prosthetics, or in cases following brain injury where BCI can be incorporated alongside residual movements to recover ability. In this study we explore the extent to which the human motor cortex is able to concurrently control movements via a BCI and overtly executed movements. Crucially both movement types are driven from the same cortical site. With this we aim to dissociate the activity at this cortical site from the movements being made and instead allow the representation and control for the BCI to develop alongside motor cortex activity. We investigated both BCI performance and its effect on the movement evoked potentials originally associated with overt execution.