Neuroscience and Brain-Computer-Interface: Bridging Medicine and Technology for Advancing Patients Care Download PDF

This article presents an overview of the evolution and the current landscape of Brain-Machine Interfaces (BMI), focusing on technological innovations and implementations. There has been a significantly increasing interest in BMI driven by the advance in technology, and by research conducted by academic institutes and private companies. The historical evolution of BMI can be traced back to the work in the 1920s that laid the foundation for modern electroencephalogram (EEG). Early experiments started with monkeys and aimed to record their brains’ activity. Nowadays, implanted brain ships have been shown to enable humans to control robotic limbs, browse emails and type words, only by thoughts. The brain has an intricate physiology with its 120 billion interconnected neurons. Invasive approaches to implant probes in brain tissue proves to be superior in data collection. Among the available invasive probes, Neuralink showcase the cutting-edge developments in the field with their robotic insertion methods, flexible high-throughput electrodes, and costume integrated circuit. The Neuropixels probe has emerged as a notable competitor to Neuralink probes. Neuropixels probe addresses key BMI requirements such as high-density recording sites and narrow cross-sectional area to minimize brain damage. More importantly, in contrast to Neuralink probes, Neuropixels is readily available for researchers and has been employed in neuroscience laboratories. Despite exciting proof-of-concept demonstrations, the article acknowledges challenges in the field such as power requirements, biocompatibility and durability. However, the transformative potential of BMI in advancing healthcare and improving the quality of life necessitates more efforts and research.