Development of a real-time LORETA BCI system with a non-invasive brain stimulation priming stage to enhance the efficacy of EEG-BCI

脑电图是一种记录大脑活动的方便方法，具有良好的时间分辨率，使其成为神经反馈的有效工具。大脑活动的真实的时间自我调节。许多神经系统疾病可以通过神经反馈治疗，如癫痫、失眠、疼痛或抑郁。然而，目前很多人都无法掌握这项技术。本项目的目的是建立基于EEG的神经反馈系统，并通过源定位方法来模拟fMRI，通过真实的时间估计深部脑活动。我们将创建一个系统的真实的时间脑源定位的基础上现有的离线解决方案，计算效率低下。我们假设，更有效的大脑调制可以通过靶向脑深部结构来实现。我们将根据负责控制运动的大脑结构来检验这一假设。我们还将联合收割机脑电神经反馈与经颅直流电刺激相结合，作为一种启动方法，以增强神经反馈的效果。（脑深部源性神经调节结合预激）可以首先用于运动的康复，但可以扩展到任何神经系统疾病的治疗与神经反馈治疗，以提高其疗效和增加学习神经反馈策略的成功。协作将有助于应用经颅直流电刺激并解释其神经作用机制。

EEG is a convenient methods of recording brain activity with excellent time resolution, making it an effective tool for neurofeedback ie. real time self-regulation of brain activity. A number of neurological disorders could be treated through neurofeedback such as epilepsy, insomnia, pain or depression. However currently large percentage of people are not able to master this technique. The aim of this project is to create neurofeedback system based on EEG and to mimic fMRI by estimating deep brain activity in real time through source localisation methods. We will create a system for real time brain source localisation based on existing off line solutions that are computationally inefficient. We hypothetise that more effective brain modulation can be achieved by targeting deep brain structures. We will test this hypothesis based on brain structure responsible for the control of movement. We will also combine EEG neurofeedback with transcranial direct current stimulation as a priming method to enhance the effect of neurofeedback.If successfully this approach (deep brain source neuromodulation combined with priming) could be used in first instance for rehabilitation of movement but could be extended to treatment of any neurological condition treated with neurofeedback to improve its efficacy and increase success of learning neurofeedback strategy.Collaboration with Dr Learmonth from the School of Psychology would be instrumental in applying transcranial direct current stimulation and interpreting its neurological mechanism of action.