Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the support of attentional and memory processes in controlling a P300-based brain-computer interface (BCI) in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Eight people with ALS performed two behavioral tasks: (i) a rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) task, screening the temporal filtering capacity and the speed of the update of the attentive filter, and (ii) a change detection task, screening the memory capacity and the spatial filtering capacity. The participants were also asked to perform a P300-based BCI spelling task. By using correlation and regression analyses, we found that only the temporal filtering capacity in the RSVP task was a predictor of both the P300-based BCI accuracy and of the amplitude of the P300 elicited performing the BCI task. We concluded that the ability to keep the attentional filter active during the selection of a target influences performance in BCI control.
Highlights
Brain computer interface (BCI) exploits neurophysiological signals to control external devices for a range of applications (Wolpaw and Wolpaw, 2012) such as communication, environmental control, movement control and motor rehabilitation
By using correlation and regression analyses, we found that only the temporal filtering capacity in the rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) task was a predictor of both the P300-based brain-computer interface (BCI) accuracy and of the amplitude of the P300 elicited performing the BCI task
To investigate the relationship between a range of attentional and working memory processes and the visual P300-based BCI performance, we investigated the temporal dynamics of attention by using a RSVP task (Kranczioch et al, 2007) and the spatial dynamics of attention for visual working memory consolidation by using a change detection (CD) procedure, as in Vogel et al (2005)
Summary
Brain computer interface (BCI) exploits neurophysiological signals to control external devices for a range of applications (Wolpaw and Wolpaw, 2012) such as communication, environmental control, movement control and motor rehabilitation. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease causing progressive physical disabilities due to the affection of motor nervous system. This generally leads to death from respiratory failure but life can be extended for several years through artificial ventilation. Because of the motor characteristics of the disease at the ultimate stage, people with ALS are considered as potential users for the BCI for communication. The possibility of a long-term independent home use for severely disabled people with ALS was demonstrated in a singlecase report (Sellers et al, 2010). Home based BCI use significantly contributed to quality of life and productivity of the user
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