Neuroelectric Research Group

University of California, Berkeley

The neuroelectric research group was formed with the objective of developing and implementing an original research project regarding the interaction between technology and the brain.

This webpage will serve as a central repository of information for group members and provide information on the progress of the group's projects.


Project Status: Currently seeking EEG equipment and lab space to implement proof-of-concept.

Project Topic: Can planned motor action be used as the basis for a natural-language EEG BCI?

Next meeting: Tuesday, 7/14, 6:00 pm, Cory Lounge

Webpage Status:  Last updated 4:00 pm 4/28/04

New Information! The group presented its work at the Berkeley-Stanford Vertex Innovator's Challenge. Poster and abstract added to files.
New Information! Use library-level journal access from home (required for certain links and papers) - Instructions

Project Files

Team Roster

Project Timeline (to be determined)

2004 Vertex Innovator's Challenge Project Poster (PDF)

Vertex Abstract

  Proposal Abstract

Presentations

Skeletal Presentation to Dr. Budginer - review and update!

Survey of Current Research in Neuroengineering - PowerPoint, Anand

Brainwaves and Neural Electrical Output - PowerPoint, Anand


Reference Papers (mostly PDF)

Interfacing Techniques (Anand)

January 2003 Science Review of BCI - "Tapping the Mind"

A very thorough layperson's article discussing the current state of BCI research. Interesting to read and highly recommended. It also mentions useful information about neural electrodes and their present limitations.

April 2003 Review of EEG-based BCI (external link, requires proxy access)

It would've saved us a lot of time to read this article when we started. It discusses using motor imagery to control BCIs and spells out the questions that have yet to be answered, many of which could be research projects in their own right.

Abstract: Brain–computer interface (BCI) technology relies on the ability of individuals to voluntarily and reliably produce changes in their electroencephalographic (EEG) activity. The present paper reviews research on cognitive tasks and other methods of generating and controlling specific changes in EEG activity that can be used to drive BCI systems. To date, motor imagery has been the most commonly used task. This paper explores the possibility that other cognitive tasks, including those used in imaging studies, may prove to be more effective. Other factors which influence performance are also considered in relation to selection of tasks, as well as training of subjects.

Overview of Brain-Computer Interfaces

Outdated. From the first international meeting of BCI researchers.

Thought Translation Device for Disabled Patients

Discusses the use of SCP (Slow Cortical Potentials) and operant feedback to develop control of a cursor. The neat part of this method is that the subject doesn't need to visualize or think about anything else besides the cursor, but learns to control the cursor directly.

The Neurotrophic Electrode

Kennedy et al's oft-cited paper discusses the first permanent communication electrode implanted into a human brain. This type of electrode is the only one that's yet been implanted into a human brain. This special type of electrode used growth factors to foster connections with surrounding neurons.

A Virtual Reality Testbed using the P300 Signal

Bayliss, et al. This paper discusses using the P300 EEG signal

Developing Neuromotor Control of a Prosthesis

This 2000 paper declares that the team has taken the first step in developing a multi-electrode-based BCI system.

Duke Internet-based Primate Robot Arm Experiment

Rat Thought-Controlled Robot Arm

Chapin's landmark work with planned motor action in a rat that got us started on this project.

Primate-based Thought-Control of a Pointer


Imaging Neural Activity

Overview of Imaging Techniques (Laurent, JPGs)

Dr. Thomas Budinger's Overview of Imaging Methods (external link) 

Language and Sign Language in the Brain

Neurology of Language (Laurent, JPGs)

Coarticulation in Fluent Fingerspelling (Maryam)

Neural Systems for Sign Language

Imaging Abilities in Hearing and Deaf Signers

Neural Systems Underlying Lexical Retrieval for Sign Language

Brain Activity during Spoken and Signed Language

 

Motor Mapping Techniques

Unique Recognition of Hand Shape in Signing

Mapping Motor Signals for the Development of Neuromotor Control of a Prosthesis

 

Brain Activity during Imagined Actions/Inner Speech

Reading imagined hand motions with EEG

 

Archived References - to be restored soon.