Two-dimensional control using brain-computer interfaces based on covert attention

Abstract

Event Abstract Back to Event Two-dimensional control using brain-computer interfaces based on covert attention Ole Jensen1*, Ali Bahramisharif2 and Marcel V. Gerven3 1 Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Netherlands 2 Radboud University, Netherlands 3 Radboud University, Institute for Computing and Information Sciences, Netherlands In order to increase the efficacy of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) it is essential to have as many robust control signals as possible. Based on experience from numerous cognitive neuroscience experiments we have explored the feasibility of using the posterior alpha activity as a control signal for BCI. The posterior alpha activity is strongly lateralized with respect to covert attention to the left and right hemifield. Additionally, alpha activity is also modulated with respect to covert attention in the upper and lower hemifield. We have conducted a set of MEG experiments in which subjects were asked to covertly track a continuum of directions from 0 to 360 degrees. We used a circular regression approach to decode the orientation of covert attention based on posterior alpha activity alone. We were able to predict the direction of covert attention with an absolute standard deviation of ~43 degree. In an online setup we were able to use posterior alpha activity for 1D control and we are now testing 2D control. This principle holds the strong promise of constructing a BCI for a two-dimensional mouse control system based over covert attention alone. It is now well established that posterior alpha activity is involved in functional inhibition. Thus, as subjects are improving using a BCI based on posterior alpha activity they might also improve their ability to control attention. Manipulating brain activity by these means provide a new tool for cognitive neuroscience in the quest to understand the causal role of oscillatory brain activity.