Investigating neural plasticity induced by EEG Brain-machine interface

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Non-invasive brain machine interfaces (BMI) are emerging as an advanced method to induce neural plasticity in humans. Co-Applicant Dr. Jiang has recently developed a non-invasive BMI that utilizes the movement related cortical potential recorded using scalp electroencephalography (EEG) to trigger the noninvasive delivery of peripheral nerve stimulation. Repeat pairing of the EEG - BMI leads to short-term changes in neural output to the targeted muscle. The proposed foundational research will examine the neural mechanisms by which the EEG - BMI induces changes within the motor cortex, corticospinal pathway and motor unit recruitment. The research will also aim to refine the delivery of the EEG - BMI to maximize the adaptations with shorter duration EEG BMI. The proposed research involves collaboration between neurophysiologist Dr. Nelson at McMaster University who studies neural plasticity in sensorimotor cortex and systems engineer Dr. Jian at the University of Waterloo who has pioneered the advanced EEG - BMI approach. The requested infrastructure, the EEG - BMI system will enhance the research capability at McMaster by bringing a cutting-edge technique that is currently unavailable. This advancement will lead to major strides in understanding the foundational processes that underpin neural plasticity induced by EEG - BMI. The infrastructure will be used at full capacity in providing training to approximately 25 graduate trainees over the next five years and foster collaboration between neighboring universities with complementary expertise.