Dareplane: a modular open-source software platform for BCI research with application in closed-loop deep brain stimulation

Objective - This work introduces Dareplane, a modular and broad technology-agnostic open source software platform for brain-computer interface research withan application focus on adaptive deep brain stimulation (aDBS). One difficulty forinvestigating control approaches for aDBS resides with the complex setups requiredfor aDBS experiments, a challenge Dareplane tries to address.Approach - The key features of the platform are presented and the compositionof modules into a full experimental setup is discussed in the context of a Python-based orchestration module. The performance of a typical experimental setup onDareplane for aDBS is evaluated in three benchtop experiments, covering (a) an easy-to-replicate setup using an Arduino microcontroller, (b) a setup with hardware of animplantable pulse generator, and (c) a setup using an established and CE certifiedexternal neurostimulator. The full technical feasibility of the platform in the aDBScontext is demonstrated in a first closed-loop session with externalized leads on apatient with Parkinson's disease receiving DBS treatment and further in a non-invasiveBCI speller application using code-modulated visual evoked responses (c-VEP).Main results - The platform is implemented and open-source accessible onhttps://github.com/bsdlab/Dareplane. Benchtop results show that performance of theplatform is sufficient for current aDBS latencies, and the platform could successfully beused in the aDBS experiment. The timing-critical c-VEP speller could be successfullyimplemented on the platform achieving expected information transfer rates.Significance - The Dareplane platform supports aDBS setups, and more generallythe research on neurotechnological systems such as brain-computer interfaces. Itprovides a modular, technology-agnostic, and easy-to-implement software platform tomake experimental setups more resilient and replicable.Clinical trial number - DRKS000287039.