Real-time control of a robot arm using simultaneously recorded neurons in the motor cortex
Nature NeurosciencePublished 1 July 1999
John K. Chapin, Karen A. Moxon, Ronald S. Markowitz, Miguel A. L. Nicolelis
Citations1,159
SJR quartileQ1
SJR score11.20
SNIP4.70
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TL;DR
A possible means for movement restoration in paralysis patients is suggested after rats trained to position a robot arm to obtain water by pressing a lever routinely used brain-derived signals to position the robot arm and obtain water.
Abstract
To determine whether simultaneously recorded motor cortex neurons can be used for real-time device control, rats were trained to position a robot arm to obtain water by pressing a lever. Mathematical transformations, including neural networks, converted multineuron signals into 'neuronal population functions' that accurately predicted lever trajectory. Next, these functions were electronically converted into real-time signals for robot arm control. After switching to this 'neurorobotic' mode, 4 of 6 animals (those with > 25 task-related neurons) routinely used these brain-derived signals to position the robot arm and obtain water. With continued training in neurorobotic mode, the animals' lever movement diminished or stopped. These results suggest a possible means for movement restoration in paralysis patients.
Keywords
Neuroscience
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