Direct Cortical Control of 3D Neuroprosthetic Devices
Dawn M. Taylor,1
Stephen I. Helms Tillery,1
Andrew B. Schwartz12*
Three-dimensional (3D) movement of neuroprosthetic devices can be
controlled by the activity of cortical neurons when appropriate algorithms are used to decode intended movement in real time. Previous
studies assumed that neurons maintain fixed tuning properties, and the
studies used subjects who were unaware of the movements predicted by
their recorded units. In this study, subjects had real-time visual
feedback of their brain-controlled trajectories. Cell tuning properties
changed when used for brain-controlled movements. By using control
algorithms that track these changes, subjects made long sequences of 3D
movements using far fewer cortical units than expected. Daily practice
improved movement accuracy and the directional tuning of these units.
1 Department of Bioengineering, Arizona State
University, Tempe, AZ 85287-6006, USA.
2 The
Neurosciences Institute, San Diego, CA 92121, USA.
*
To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
aschwartz{at}nsi.edu
