Brain-machine interfaces: From macroto microcircuits

Abstract

Brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) establish unidirectional and bidirectional communication channels between the brain and assistive devices, such as wheelchairs, limb prostheses and computers. BMI technologies can also link areas within the brain and even individual brains. BMI approach holds promise to provide effective treatment for a range of neurological conditions. Moreover, BMIs can be utilized to augment brain function in healthy individuals. Here we consider three broadly defined BMI types: Motor, sensory and cognitive. For these BMI types, both noninvasive and invasive methods have been employed for neural recordings and stimulation. While original BMIs were implemented at the level of brain macrocircuits, a recent trend was to develop BMIs that utilize neuronal microcircuits.