Abstract
A dramatic example of translational monkey research is the development of neural prosthetics for assisting paralyzed patients. A neuroprosthesis consists of implanted electrodes that can record the intended movement of a paralyzed part of the body, a computer algorithm that decodes the intended movement, and an assistive device such as a robot limb or computer that is controlled by these intended movement signals. This type of neuroprosthetic system is also referred to as a brain–machine interface (BMI) since it interfaces the brain with an external machine. In this review, we will concentrate on BMIs in which microelectrode recording arrays are implanted in the posterior parietal cortex (PPC), a high-level cortical area in both humans and monkeys that represents intentions to move. This review will first discuss the basic science research performed in healthy monkeys that established PPC as a good source of intention signals. Next, it will describe the first PPC implants in human patients with tetraplegia from spinal cord injury. From these patients the goals of movements could be quickly decoded, and the rich number of action variables found in PPC indicates that it is an appropriate BMI site for a very wide range of neuroprosthetic applications. We will discuss research on learning to use BMIs in monkeys and humans and the advances that are still needed, requiring both monkey and human research to enable BMIs to be readily available in the clinic.
Highlights
A dramatic example of translational monkey research is the development of neural prosthetics for assisting paralyzed patients
Subsequent studies showed that planningrelated signals are found within posterior parietal cortex (PPC), which reflect the intention to move particular body parts [4, 5]
In the M1 and PPC studies, animals quickly learned that they were able to control computers or robotic limbs with their neural signals. This monkey research led to clinical studies in human tetraplegic participants with high-level spinal cord lesions or neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Summary
Bidirectional brain–machine interface (BMI) that can control a robotic limb and receive somatosensory feedback for more dexterous performance. In the final section we will discuss learning in BMIs. Early monkey studies suggested a promising degree of adaptation over the short timescale of a single day in cortex [25,26,27]. Limitations on plasticity emphasize the importance of selecting brain sites for recording that are well matched to the desired function of the neural prosthesis. For each of these topics, studying motor-sensory neurophysiology in the monkey model laid a foundation for introducing these promising technologies into human studies. New technologies and continued scientific exploration mean that monkey research is as relevant today as it has always been and continues to provide a strong foundation for developing research that can be translated into the clinic
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