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CSNE Research

Summer 2016: Internship at the MORITZ LAB via the Center for Sensorimotor Neural Engineering

Research Abstract

"Brain-computer interface (BCI) technology holds tremendous potential in restoring sensory function in paralyzed individuals via artificial stimulation. Currently, impaired individuals utilizing BCI-controlled prostheses and reanimated limbs to replace natural sensory pathways are dependent on visual feedback to coordinate their movements. This is because artificial stimulation has yet to achieve tactile, proprioceptive feedback. The current dependency of BCI-controlled prostheses and limbs on visual processing results in slow and unnatural movements incomparable to the aptitude of control and movement dexterity of a natural human system. Our research seeks to improve BCI technology by developing a paradigm of stimulation patterns that will produce artificial sensory feedback capable of mimicking natural proprioceptive feedback. To test the comprehension of such stimulation patterns, electrodes were implanted in rats’ brains to route artificial stimulation to the sensorimotor cortex. By measuring rats’ ability to correctly move a joystick in a specific XY-position as indicated by electrical stimulation, we hope to build a model of stimulation patterns from which bi-directional BCI’s can be improved."

During the summer, I was able to work under David Bjanes, a graduate student in the Moritz Lab. Through the CSNE's Young Scholars Program, I assisted him in his research, which is geared towards recreating proprioception in artificial limbs. My work consisted of training rats prior to receiving the electrode implant and  coding a data analysis program that would report the rats' performance in the training modules. At the end of the program, I presented my work to the CSNE community

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TO FINAL PRESENTATION

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