Combined functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) and electroencephalogram (EEG) based brain-computer interface (BCI) for communication in patient in completely locked-in state (CLIS: completely locked in state).

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Combined functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) and electroencephalogram (EEG) based brain-computer interface (BCI) for communication in patient in completely locked-in state (CLIS: completely locked in state). On the basis of the research work of the working group (see previous DFG projects) a novel brain-computer interface (BCI) for verbal communication in patients in CLIS due to Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) was developed. After we were able to demonstrate that in CLIS instrumental learning is difficult, we for the first time in the last few years were able to achieve simple communication in CLIS. The main modifications which led to this success were the use of metabolic brain responses (NIRS) in combination with a simple classical conditioning BCI. The communication rates with this new BCI system (only yes or no answers were previously possible) are on average at CLIS 70%. In this project the communication successes (measured over several hundred days) by on-line classification of functional connectivity of the fNIRS brain responses provide yes and No responses by on-line correction of inattention and sleep phases with the EEG is significantly higher than the 80%. This will help raise the limit of communication and enormously raise the quality of life as well as the possibility of neuro scientific studies on cognitive and emotional processes in CLIS patient. In the third part of the project attempts will be made to design a speller, based on the simple classical conditioned responses after extensive and successful (about 80%) communications by CLIS, which will help patient to select letters and form sentences. This will be the basis for the systematic investigation of the brain responsiveness, the inner, subjective states and cognitive-emotional processing in patients in completely locked-in state for several years without any motor skills.