Brain-controlled cursor doubles as a neural workout

February 17, 2010 | Source: Physorg.com

Researchers at the University of Washington looked at signals on the brain’s surface while using imagined movements to control a cursor, finding that watching a cursor respond to one’s thoughts prompts brain signals to become stronger than those generated in day-to-day life.

The finding holds promise for rehabilitating patients after stroke or other neurological damage. It also suggests that a human brain could quickly become adept at manipulating an external device such as a computer interface or a prosthetic limb.

The new findings also provide clues about which brain signals to tap. Researchers compared the patterns in low-frequency signals, usually used to control external devices, and high-frequency signals, typically dismissed as noise. They discovered that the high-frequency signals are more specific to each type of movement. Because each one occupies a smaller portion of the brain, several high-frequency signals could be tapped simultaneously to control more sophisticated devices.