Brain-Computer Interfaces for Assessment and Communication in Disorders of Consciousness

Christoph Guger, Bettina Sorger, Q. Noirhomme, Lorina Naci, Martin M. Monti, Ruben Real, Christoph Pokorny, Sandra Veser, Zulay Lugo, Lucia Quitadamo, Damien Lesenfants, Monica Risetti, Rita Formisano, Jlenia Toppi, Laura Astolfi, Thomas Emmerling, Lizette Heine, Helena Erlbeck, Petar Horki, Boris KotchoubeyLuigi Bianci, Donatella Mattia, Rainer Goebel, Adrian M. Owen, Frederic Pellas, Gernor Müller-Putz, Steven Laureys, Andrea Kübler, Febo Cincotti

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Abstract

Many patients with Disorders of Consciousness (DOC) are misdiagnosed for a variety of reasons. These patients typically cannot communicate. Because such patients are not provided with the needed tools, one of their basic human needs remains unsatisfied, leaving them truly locked in to their bodies. This chapter first reviews current methods and problems of diagnoses and assistive technology for communication, supporting the view that advances in both respects are needed for patients with DOC. The authors also discuss possible solutions to these problems and introduce emerging developments based on EEG (Electroencephalography), fMRI (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging), and fNIRS (Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy) that have been validated with patients and healthy volunteers.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationEmerging Theory and Practice in Neuroprosthetics
EditorsGanesh R. Naik, Yina Guo
PublisherIGI Global Publishing
Pages181-214
ISBN (Print)9781466660946
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014

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