54 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
The goal of this interventional study is to compare if the use of a brain-machine interface (BCI) therapy can improve the symptoms of attentional deficit by producing brain changes in the networks that modulate attention. The investigators intend to work with epileptic participants who do not respond to pharmacological treatment, who will undergo neurosurgery. The questions the study sets out to answer are: 1. is there an improvement of symptoms in an experimental group receiving the treatment versus a sham group receiving a simulation of the treatment? 2. does the application of the therapy before surgery reduce the recovery times of post-surgery cognitive deficits described in the literature? Making use of the information recorded from brain electrodes implanted before a participant's epilepsy surgery, the investigators will create a BCI decoder that works with the available activity sources to establish the level of attention of each participant when performing tasks. Participants: * will perform an offline phase first, which will consist of one day of evaluation, in which they will be familiarized with an attentional task. * will perform a training phase later, which will consist of several days of evaluation, where they will learn to modulate their level of attention. This modulation will be facilitated by the BCI decoder, which will classify the level of attention directly from the brain and provide visual feedback that the participant will use as a guide. If the participant is part of the experimental group (or BCI group), the feedback will work as described and should be easy to follow, but if the participant is part of the Sham group, the feedback will not work according to the brain activity of the actual participant, but according to that of another person. Because of this, a mismatch will be created between the moments a brain experiences inattention, and participants believe they are experiencing inattention. This is a randomized, double-blind study, in which the experimenters will evaluate how the effect of the attentional therapy with BCI affects an BCI group and a Sham group.
The CONVOY Study is a clinical trial designed to explore the feasibility of participants from the PRIME Study (NCT06429735) using the N1 Implant to control various assistive devices. The main goal is to determine whether participants can successfully modulate their brain activity to control devices, such as an Assistive Robotic Arm (ARA). This study will assess the effectiveness, consistency, and safety of neural control using the ARA and other assistive devices.
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the commercial readiness of an Augmentative and Alternative Communication Brain-Computer Interface (AAC-BCI) device for people with minimal movement who benefit from expressive communication technology. Our clinical trial focuses on up to 8 AAC-BCI users but involves a team of support participants with different roles: an industry partner's consultant, a speech language pathologist (SLP), and the user's in-home support person. Patient and team reported outcome measures data will be collected on usage, performance, reliability and comfort along with performance data of using the AAC-BCI device in the home.
The PRIME Study is a first-in-human early feasibility study to evaluate the initial clinical safety and device functionality of the Neuralink N1 Implant and R1 Robot device designs in participants with tetraparesis or tetraplegia. The N1 Implant is a skull-mounted, wireless, rechargeable implant connected to electrode threads that are implanted in the brain by the R1 Robot, a robotic electrode thread inserter.
Determine if Telehealth intervention can allow/empower a caregiver (who is untrained) to effectively implement and utilize a Brain-Computer Interface for communication with a participant who is "Locked in" following progression of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and other conditions.
Chronic stroke survivors suffering from weaknesses or movement difficulties in their hand/arm are provided a system to aid in at-home rehabilitation for 6 weeks. This rehabilitation system includes a headband that measures and provides feedback from the brain during rehabilitation, together with tablet-based software. Throughout the 6 week rehabilitation period (as well as in a follow-up session 1 month afterwards) several assessments are taken to understand the effect of this rehabilitation on participant's movement abilities, as well as their brain activity.
The investigators will use fMRI to map movement activity in motor and somatosensory cortex using enriched imagery in people with chronic tetraplegia. The investigators expect that somatotopic organization of movement activity will be preserved in people with upper limb impairments, which can be quantified using the strength, area, and location of sensorimotor activity. Accurate mapping of the motor and somatosensory cortices using covert stimuli will help guide brain-computer interface (BCI) electrode design and placement. Moreover, these advanced mapping procedures will provide new insights into the functional interactions between sensory and motor areas of the brain after injury or disease.
Locked-In Syndrome (LIS) is a devastating condition in which a person has lost the ability to communicate due to motor impairment, while being mentally intact. For people affected by this severe communication impairment, Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) may be the only solution that allows these people to start a conversation, ask questions, or request assistance (i.e. self-initiated communication). To-date, spelling was accomplished at a rate of 2-3 letters per minute with a predecessor device (the Medtronic Activa PC+S). To improve BCI performance, the current protocol will use the Medtronic Summit System, which offers a rechargeable battery and improved signal quality relative to Activa PC+S. Using signals from the motor hand/arm and/or motor mouth/face area, the investigators will investigate different avenues to improve the speed of communication using the Summit System. The primary objective is to evaluate the safety of the Summit System when used to chronically record subdural electrocorticographic (ECoG) signals in a BCI for use by patients with LIS in patients' homes. The secondary objective will be to evaluate the efficacy of the Summit System as a long-term source of ECoG signals for a BCI capable of allowing participants to control alternative and augmentative communication software in patients' homes.
This project adds to non-invasive BCIs for communication for adults with severe speech and physical impairments due to neurodegenerative diseases. Researchers will optimize \& adapt BCI signal acquisition, signal processing, natural language processing, \& clinical implementation. BCI-FIT relies on active inference and transfer learning to customize a completely adaptive intent estimation classifier to each user's multi-modality signals simultaneously. 3 specific aims are: 1. develop \& evaluate methods for on-line \& robust adaptation of multi-modal signal models to infer user intent; 2. develop \& evaluate methods for efficient user intent inference through active querying, and 3. integrate partner \& environment-supported language interaction \& letter/word supplementation as input modality. The same 4 dependent variables are measured in each SA: typing speed, typing accuracy, information transfer rate (ITR), \& user experience (UX) feedback. Four alternating-treatments single case experimental research designs will test hypotheses about optimizing user performance and technology performance for each aim.Tasks include copy-spelling with BCI-FIT to explore the effects of multi-modal access method configurations (SA1.3a), adaptive signal modeling (SA1.3b), \& active querying (SA2.2), and story retell to examine the effects of language model enhancements. Five people with SSPI will be recruited for each study. Control participants will be recruited for experiments in SA2.2 and SA3.4. Study hypotheses are: (SA1.3a) A customized BCI-FIT configuration based on multi-modal input will improve typing accuracy on a copy-spelling task compared to the standard P300 matrix speller. (SA1.3b) Adaptive signal modeling will allow people with SSPI to typing accurately during a copy-spelling task with BCI-FIT without training a new model before each use. (SA2.2) Either of two methods of adaptive querying will improve BCI-FIT typing accuracy for users with mediocre AUC scores. (SA3.4) Language model enhancements, including a combination of partner and environmental input and word completion during typing, will improve typing performance with BCI-FIT, as measured by ITR during a story-retell task. Optimized recommendations for a multi-modal BCI for each end user will be established, based on an innovative combination of clinical expertise, user feedback, customized multi-modal sensor fusion, and reinforcement learning.
The researchers will develop and evaluate the use of adaptive closed-loop brain-computer interface therapeutic intervention in laryngeal dystonia.
The purpose of this research is to determine if functional muscle stimulation, directed by electroencephalogram (EEG) output, can increase the extent of stroke recovery on behavioral measures and induce brain plasticity as measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Participants will include stroke patients with upper-limb hemiparesis and can expect to be on study for approximately 4 months.
The goal of this project is to test a new AAC-BCI device comparing gel and dry electrode headgear used for communication while providing clinical care. Innovative resources will be employed to support the standard of care without considering limitations based on service billing codes. Clinical services will include AAC assessment, AAC-BCI device and treatment to individuals with minimal movement due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), brain stem strokes, severe cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury (TBI) and their family support person. This is a descriptive study designed to measure and monitor the communication performance of individuals using the AAC-BCI, any other AAC strategies, their user satisfaction and perceptions of communication effectiveness, and the satisfaction of the family support persons.
1. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the nGoggle's accuracy and repeatability in detecting visual function loss. In addition, the ability to stage glaucomatous damage and investigate the relationship between nGoggle metrics and neural damage in glaucoma will also be evaluated. 2. Longitudinal study, including 200 patients with: glaucoma, suspected of having glaucoma, nonglaucomatous optic neuropathies, AMD, retinal degenerations, other diseases involving the visual pathways, besides healthy controls. Subjects will perform standard ophthalmological exams, and the following research tests: electroencephalogram, visual evoked potentials, and questionnaires. 3. Statistical analyses will be performed by the PI using the software Stata, MATLAB, and MPLUS. Risks are low, consisting of some discomfort, fatigue, dizziness or motion sickness.
The purpose of this research study is to show that a computer can analyze brain waves and that those brain waves can be used to control an external device. This study will also show whether passive movement of the affected hand as a result of brain-based control can cause rehabilitation from the effects of a stroke. Additionally, this study will show how rehabilitation with a brain-controlled device may affect the function and organization of the brain. Stroke is the most common neurological disorder in the US with 795,000 strokes per year (Lloyd-Jones et al. 2009). Of survivors, 15-30% are permanently disabled and 20% require institutional care (Mackay et al. 2004; Lloyd-Jones et al. 2009). In survivors over age 65, 50% had hemiparesis, 30% were unable to walk without assistance, and 26% received institutional care six months post stroke (Lloyd-Jones et al. 2009). These deficits are significant, as recovery is completed after three months (Duncan et al. 1992; Jorgensen et al. 1995). This large patient population with decreased quality of life fuels the need to develop novel methods for improving functional rehabilitation. We propose that signals from the unaffected hemisphere can be used to develop a novel Brain-Computer interface (BCI) system that can facilitate functional improvement or recovery. This can be accomplished by using signals recorded from the brain as a control signal for a robotic hand orthotic to improve motor function, or by strengthening functional pathways through neural plasticity. Neural activity from the unaffected hemisphere to the affected hemiparetic limb would provide a BCI control in stroke survivors lesions that prevent perilesional mechanisms of motor recovery. The development of BCI systems for functional recovery in the affected limb in stroke survivors will be significant because they will provide a path for improving quality of life for chronic stroke survivors who would otherwise have permanent loss of function. Initially, the study will serve to determine the feasibility of using EEG signals from the non-lesioned hemisphere to control a robotic hand orthotic. The study will then determine if a brain-computer interface system can be used to impact rehabilitation, and how it may impact brain function. The system consists of a research approved EEG headset, the robotic hand orthotic, and a commercial tablet. The orthotic will be made, configured, and maintained by Neurolutions. Each participant will complete as many training sessions as the participant requires, during which a visual cue will be shown to the participant to vividly imagine moving their impaired upper extremity to control the opening and closing of the orthotic. Participants may also be asked to complete brain scans using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Mind-Body Awareness Training (MBAT), in the forms of various yoga and meditative practices, has become increasingly prevalent due to an increase in awareness of the potential health benefits, and improvements in concentration that this training can provide to practitioners. In the present study, the role of Mind-Body Awareness Training (MBAT) in the initial learning of a sensorimotor (SMR) based Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) is being investigated. The hypothesis is that MBAT will improve performance in SMR based BCI.
The overall vision of this proposal is to demonstrate that a virtual reality based motor imagery training program will improve brain computer interface (BCI) performance and motor function in quadriplegic subjects. The ultimate goal is to increase the independence of subjects with spinal cord injury by training to safely control BCI assistive devices and to enhance motor recovery.
The purpose of this research study is to determine whether a combined electroencephalography (EEG) and functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) recording is able to detect changes in brain activity and blood flow after stroke.
Objectives: Specific Aim 1: To demonstrate the feasibility of using a Steady State Visual Evoked Potential (SSVEP) based Brain Computer Interface (BCI) device to facilitate communication of common patient needs in alert mechanically ventilated patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Specific Aim 2: To determine patient, family and bedside nurse satisfaction with communication using the BCI device and elicit open-ended feedback to guide future device improvements Design: Translational pilot study of a Steady State Visual Evoked Potential (SSVEP) based BCI system to facilitate communication in intubated patients, with sequential use of the BCI device and a picture board. Selection of the primary self-identified primary patient need on the BCI device will be compared to the icon selected on the picture board (reference standard). A patient satisfaction survey will then be provided to the patient or a family member following use for 2 hours a day for 3 consecutive days. Primary outcome: Accurate selection of the illustrative icon on the brain computer interface representing the physical or emotional need self-identified by the patient as being the most common trigger for communication with the bedside nurse during their admission. Secondary outcome: Selection by patients or family of "agree" or "strongly agree" with the statement "The Brain computer interface device allowed me to communicate my needs to the bedside nurse adequately". Intervention: Use of the brain computer device in the ICU for communication for 2 hours a day for 3 consecutive days Control/ Comparator: Sequential use of a communication picture board for 2 hours a day for 3 consecutive days, on the same days that the BCI device is used Sample Size: 30 mechanically ventilated but alert patients in the Intensive Care Unit
Sensorimotor (also know as mu) rhythm based brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are a tool for controlling electronic devices using only brain signals. Often, the computer software that analyzes mu-rhythm brain signals constantly adapts to the individual user's brain signals when the training target location is known. The investigators want the BCIs to be more universal, and not depend on knowing the target location. Therefore, the investigators will test the effect removing adaptation has on accuracy of using a mu-rhythm BCI.
Mind-Body Awareness Training (MBAT), in the forms of various yoga and meditative practices, has become increasingly prevalent due to an increase in awareness of the potential health benefits, and improvements in concentration that this training can provide to practitioners. In the present study, we investigate the role of Mind-Body Awareness Training (MBAT) in the initial learning of a sensorimotor (SMR) based Brain-Computer Interface (BCI). The PI's hypothesis is that MBAT will improve performance in SMR based BCI.
A brain-computer interface (BCI) is a system that provides a separate output pathway for neurological signals whereby they can be interpreted to determine the user's intended cognitive action. Utilizing EEG-based sensorimotor rhythms (SMRs) generated in the motor cortex has allowed subjects to control virtual computer cursors in up to three dimensions by simply imagining the movement of a specified body part. Nevertheless, the scalp EEG signals are smeared by the volume conduction effect and measurement noise. The overall hypothesis of this study is that EEG-based virtual object control may help reveal optimal motor imagination tasks best used in a BCI. The PI's hypotheses include: (1) The use of advanced signal processing techniques will better reveal characteristics of EEG signals that represent the underlying motor cognitive function of the subject; (2) BCI systems based on SMR generated using motor imaginations will allow effective control of a virtual object in real time; (3) EEG imaging techniques will provide insight into the areas of cortical activation during a motor imagery task that can be utilized to increase the spatial resolution of non-invasive BCI's.
Noninvasive Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) have been used to control a number of virtual and physical objects through the voluntary modulation of brain rhythms. Current issues with noninvasive BCIs include exhausting motor imagery tasks and long training times required to achieve competent control. The investigators will address these issues within this protocol, examining new approaches to reduce the effort required by subjects to control a physical object in the task. The PI's hypothesis is: Control of a physical robotic device will increase the performance of subjects in BCI tasks that are analogous to virtual tasks due to greater engagement with a physical output.
Sensorimotor (also know as mu) rhythm based brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are a tool for controlling electronic devices using only brain signals. The Mu rhythm is a naturally occuring wave produced by the brain. This research project will determine how to best train subjects to use the Mu rhythm for computer control.
The investigators are developing a tool to help people who are severely paralyzed. This tool is called a brain-computer interface (BCI). BCIs can connect to computers or other electronic devices. This study allows a person with ALS to communicate, control their wheelchair tilt and perform other tasks using a BCI, thus increasing their independence.
People with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) will use a P300 based brain computer interface (BCI) keyboard to type in assistive technology devices. The results of this study will be compared with a previous study of a P300 BCI keyboard used by healthy volunteers.
The purpose of this research is to develop tools to help people who are paralyzed. These tools are called brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). BCIs would allow a person to use brain signals to operate technology. Specifically this project's goal is to design a BCI to operate a switch.
The purpose of this research is to develop tools enable people who are paralyzed to operate technology and access computers. These tools are called brain computer interfaces (BCIs). BCIs would let a person use brain signals to operate technology.
The goal of this VA demonstration project is to show that the Brain-computer interface (BCI) technology is a clinically practical and important new communication and control option that can improve the lives of veterans with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The project will test four well-supported hypotheses: (1) that people with ALS who find (or will soon find) conventional assistive technology inadequate can and will use a BCI system for important purposes in their daily lives without close technical oversight, 2) they will continue and even increase this use throughout the period of the study, (3) that BCI use will improve their lives, and 4) BCI will improve the lives of their families and caregivers.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neuromuscular condition characterized by weakness, muscle wasting, fasciculations and increased reflexes. Depending on the site of onset, individuals with ALS progressively lose control of their skeletal muscles; bulbar or the extremities. As symptoms worsen and spread, muscle atrophy becomes apparent and upper motor neuron symptoms such as spasticity complicate gait (in lower limb involvement) and manual dexterity (in upper limb involvement). The patients progress to a state of profound disability and have great difficulty in communicating; some may even be entirely "locked in" to their bodies. The capacity for simple communication could greatly improve their quality of life. New technologies are giving people with disabilities alternate communication and control options. One such instrument is the EEG-based Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) which can provide both communication and control functions to those who have lost muscle control. By recording electroencephalographic (EEG) signals or brain waves from the scalp and then decoding them, the Wadsworth BCI allows people to make selections on a computer screen \[i\] In this study we will be investigating the feasibility of using EEG-based Brain-Computer Interface technology as a communication solution for individuals with ALS. The specific question addressed will be: Can individuals with ALS use the BCI for communication when they present with extreme loss of neuromuscular control and severe communication impairments? The goal of the project is to determine whether this device is a practical and realistic means for individuals with ALS to communicate. The study is intended to evaluate both the complexity of the system and the degree to which each participant will be able to communicate. Trials will consist of asking the subject to follow a series of simple instructions and complete certain tasks while using the BCI. This study design requires that the individual live in the Philadelphia region. Please contact the Wadsworth Center of the New York State Department of Health and State University of New York at Albany directly if you reside outside of this area.
This study will gain information on methods of control of a prosthetic arm in stroke patients or traumatic brain inury patients through a technique called "brain-computer interface" (BCI). BCI allows for direct communication between man and machine. Brain cells communicate by producing electrical impulses that help to create such things as thoughts, memory, consciousness and emotions. In BCI, brain waves are recorded by an electroencephalogram (EEG) through electrodes (small wires) attached to the scalp. The electrodes measure the electrical signals of the brain. These signals are sent to the computer, which translates them into device control commands as messages that reflect a person's intention. This type of brain activity comes from the sensorimotor areas of the brain and can be controlled through voluntarily training to control the hand prosthesis through the BCI. Healthy normal volunteers and people who have had a stroke or traumatic brain injury more than 12 months ago and have paralysis in the right or left arm, hand or leg and who are between 18 and 80 years of age may be eligible for this study. Candidates are screened with a clinical and neurological examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. MRI uses a magnetic field and radio waves to obtain images of the brain. The scanner is a metal cylinder surrounded by a strong magnetic field. During the procedure, the subject lies in the scanner for about 45 minutes, wearing ear plugs to muffle loud knocking sounds that occur with the scanning. Participants undergo the following procedures: * Sessions 1-2: Participants are connected to an EEG machine and familiarized with the hand orthosis (training device used in the study) and the tasks required for the study. * Sessions 3-4: Participants receive baseline transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and fMRI. For TMS, a wire coil is held on the scalp. A brief electrical current is passed through the coil, creating a magnetic pulse that stimulates the brain. The subject may feel a pulling sensation on the skin under the coil and there may be twitching in muscles of the face, arm or leg. The subject may be asked to tense certain muscles slightly or perform other simple actions. The effect of TMS on the muscles is detected with small metal disk electrodes taped to the skin of the arms. fMRI is like a standard MRI (see above), except it is done while the patient performs tasks to learn about brain activity involved in those tasks. * Sessions 5-8: Participants are asked to repetitively move their hand (patients' paralyzed hand; healthy volunteers' normal hand), tongue and leg in response to three sound tones. After ten trials, they are asked to imagine the same movements 50 to 100 times while the EEG machine is recording brain activity. * Sessions 9-14: Participants are trained in controlling the hand orthosis. The subject's hand is attached to the orthosis and asked to imagine that they are performing finger or hand movements. This continues until there is an 80-90 percent success rate in achieving hand movement. * Sessions 15-16: Participants repeat TMS and fMRI for comparison before and after training with the hand orthosis. * Sessions 17-28: Participants receive additional training with the hand orthosis device (as in sessions 5-8), focusing only on the hand and not other parts of the body. * Sessions 29-30: Participants undergo repeat TMS and fMRI to compare with the effect following additional training with the hand orthosis. * Sessions 31-32: Optional makeup sessions if needed because of scheduling problems. Participants are evaluated in the clinic after 3 months to see if they have benefited from the study.