Neurology · 4 h ago
EEG-Based BCI Control Associated With Outcomes After Acute Brain Injury
In a prospective single-centre cohort, 41 clinically unresponsive patients with acute brain injury were assessed using an EEG-based, self-paced brain-computer interface (BCI). Thirteen patients controlled the interface; control was associated with higher rates of recovery of consciousness at discharge and functional independence at 12 months, although estimates were imprecise.
- 13 of 41 unresponsive patients controlled the BCI.
- Eight patients were positive for cognitive motor dissociation.
- BCI control was associated with better 12-month functional outcomes.
- Single-centre cohort; outcome estimates have wide confidence intervals.
This prospective, single-centre cohort study tested whether clinically unresponsive, critically ill patients with acute brain injury could control a self-paced BCI using EEG. The system changed the frequency and pitch of a tone in response to attempted hand movements. The study included 41 unresponsive patients, alongside eight healthy volunteers and 22 conscious critically ill patients. Outcomes included recovery of consciousness by hospital discharge and functional independence at 12 months. EEG responses to verbal commands were also analysed for cognitive motor dissociation (CMD).
In practice
In this small, single-centre cohort of clinically unresponsive patients with acute brain injury, EEG-based BCI control was associated with recovery of consciousness and functional independence, suggesting potential value as an additional investigational measure of preserved capacity and prognosis. It does not establish that BCI testing should guide treatment or prognostic decisions: only 41 unresponsive patients were studied, confidence intervals were wide, and the findings require validation in larger, diverse cohorts. The system’s clinical utility and ability to support communication remain unproven.
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Brain: Clinically unresponsive patients with acute brain injury activate a brain-computer interface ↗This is an automated AI-condensed summary that has not yet been reviewed by an editor. Always consult the full item at the original source.