Engineering the Future in Biomedicine:  Using Brain Signals for Communication and Diagnosis

ABSTRACT: 

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) convert brain signals into outputs that communicate a user's intent, or inform of other important details of behavior. BCIs can be used by people to communicate and interact with their environment. BCI techniques can also be used for diagnosis of brain function. Different non-invasive and invasive sensors can be used to detect these brain signals.

Typical non-invasive BCIs use electroencephalographic activity (EEG) recorded from the scalp. Recent studies have demonstrated that EEG can be used to control cursors in multiple dimensions, or to perform simple word processing. Invasive BCIs use local activity from multiple neurons recorded within the brain. Recent studies have demonstrated that such brain activity accurately reflects detailed aspects of behaviors (such as the direction of actual or intended hand movements). An intermediate technology, called electrocorticographic (ECoG) recordings from the cortical surface, could be a powerful and practical alternative to current non-invasive and invasive BCI recording methods.

In this talk, the speaker will first give an overview of exciting developments in this area. He will then demonstrate that ECoG can give detailed information about motor and language function that is in important ways comparable to that provided by neuronal recordings and that it supports rapid acquisition of real-time control of a computer cursor in humans. He will also show how BCI techniques can be used to improve diagnosis of normal and abnormal brain function.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER: 

Gerwin Schalk, Ph.D.
Research Scientist V, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health
Assoc. Prof., Dept. of Neurology, Albany Medical College
Assoc. Prof., Dept. of Biomed. Sci., State Univ. of New York at Albany
Adj. Assist. Prof., Dept. of Neurosurgery, Washington Univ. in St. Louis
Adj. Assoc. Prof., Dept. of Biomed. Eng., Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Dr. Schalk obtained his M.S. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Graz University of Technology in Austria in 1999, his M.S. in Information Technology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in 2001, and his Ph.D. in Computer and Systems Engineering from RPI in 2006. He is interested in engineering, scientific, and commercial aspects of devices that interface the brain with external devices for the purpose of communication or diagnosis. He authored or co-authored more than 30 peer-reviewed publications and has given more than 60 invited lectures world-wide. His work has been extensively featured by the media, including articles in Technology Review, Wired, New Scientist, etc. He is also listed in Who's Who in the World, Who's Who in America, and received several awards for his work including a Best Paper Award from IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering.

DIRECTIONS: 

The church is located just west of the intersection of Rosendale/Vly Rd and Rt. 7, on the corner of Niskayuna Rd and Rt. 7. There is plenty of parking, accessible from either Rt. 7 or Niskayuna Rd. The meeting will be in the large white meeting hall next to the church. Enter through the large glass doors at the lower level. Please note that there is no smoking allowed anywhere on the church grounds.

Map to Niskayuna Reformed Church
NOTE: Valley Road = Vly Road

LUNCH: 
Lunch is provided.

RESERVATIONS:  
Please contact Lou Tomaino at schdyieee (at) yahoo.com by Thursday, April 2, 2009 at 9:00 AM to reserve. This event is free for IEEE members, $5.00 for non-members to help cover the cost of the room.

Please be courteous and cancel your reservation if you cannot attend so that we have a chance to adjust the food order and seating.

Sponsored by the Schenectady Section of the IEEE.