Miniaturized Brain-Machine Interface Could Transform Care for Neurological Disorders

Neal K. Shah

(Credit: CareYaya Health Technologies)

Imagine being able to communicate just by thinking, even if you've lost the ability to speak or move. What if a tiny chip in your brain could translate your thoughts directly into text? This isn't science fiction - it's the promise of a groundbreaking new technology that could revolutionize care for millions with neurological disorders. For neurology practitioners, this represents an exciting frontier where your expertise could directly contribute to restoring patients' ability to connect with the world.

A groundbreaking miniaturized brain-machine interface (BMI) system developed by researchers in Switzerland at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) could revolutionize care for patients with neurological disorders like dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and aphasia.¹ This next-generation technology, called miniaturized BMI (MiBMI), enables direct brain-to-text communication on tiny silicon chips, opening up new possibilities for restoring communication abilities in those with severe motor impairments.

The MiBMI system, detailed in a recent paper published in IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, combines a 192-channel neural recording system with a 512-channel neural decoder on 2 extremely small chips with a total area of just 8mm2.² This ultra-compact, low-power design makes it suitable for future implantable applications, addressing key limitations of current BMI systems that rely on bulky external equipment.

Miniaturized Brain-Machine Interface (MiBMI) chip

(Credit: EPFL)

"MiBMI allows us to convert intricate neural activity into readable text with high accuracy and low power consumption. This advancement brings us closer to practical, implantable solutions that can significantly enhance communication abilities for individuals with severe motor impairments," says lead researcher Mahsa Shoaran, PhD, assistant professor in the Center for Neuroprosthetics and Electrical Engineering Institute at Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne.

The system's neural decoder can translate brain signals associated with imagined handwriting into digital text with 91% accuracy for up to 31 different characters. This level of performance in such a miniaturized package represents a major leap forward in BMI capabilities.

The new small MiBMI chip next to a pair of tweezers and an alligator clip for comparison

(Credit: EPFL)

For patients with conditions like aphasia because of dementia or stroke, or those with late-stage ALS who have lost the ability to speak or write, this technology offers hope of reconnecting with loved ones and regaining a degree of autonomy. The ability to convert thoughts directly into text could allow these individuals to express needs, share feelings, and participate in conversations again.

Shoaran envisions expanding the system's applications beyond handwriting recognition to areas like speech decoding and movement control. "Our goal is to develop a versatile BMI that can be tailored to various neurological disorders, providing a broader range of solutions for patients," she explained.

This aligns with the growing potential of neurotechnology to address critical care gaps for neurological disorders that I discussed in my previous NeurologyLive article, AI-Powered Neurotech Could Revolutionize Dementia Care and Unlock Communications.³ As I noted then, emerging brain-computer interface technologies have the power to translate neural activity into communicative intent, potentially restoring voices to those silenced by illness.

The MiBMI system takes us a significant step closer to that reality. Its ability to decode complex neural signals in real-time using minimal power could make it feasible to develop fully implantable BMI devices for long-term use.⁴ This could dramatically improve quality of life for patients who currently struggle to communicate basic needs and desires to caregivers and loved ones.

(Credit: EPFL INL lab)

For patients with dementia who experience aphasia, the technology could help maintain connections with family members even as verbal abilities decline. This is particularly crucial as we explore various ways to enhance the lives of those with dementia. We’ve been working on AI and neurotech innovations to engage and support individuals with dementia. CareYaya’s OpenMindTM initiative has been building the largest multi-modal neuroscience dataset of older adults.⁵ In addition, we recently launched the CareYayaTV initiative, which provides customized AI-generated therapeutic videos to offer multisensory stimulation and reduce stress for dementia patients.⁶ The potential for recent advancements in AI and neurotech to dramatically improve the quality of life for those with neurological disorders is absolutely awe-inspiring.

With advancements like MiBMI, patients with ALS could regain the ability to express themselves through text as their condition progresses. And for locked-in patients who retain cognitive function but have lost all motor control, it could provide a vital lifeline to the outside world.⁷

The compact nature of the MiBMI system also opens up possibilities for more widespread clinical adoption. Current BMI setups often require significant technical expertise and resources to operate. A miniaturized, self-contained system could potentially be implanted and managed more easily by healthcare providers, making the technology accessible to a broader patient population.

However, it's important to note that significant work remains to be done before this technology reaches clinical use. The current system has been tested on previously recorded neural data and in animal studies, but has not yet been integrated into a working BMI for human use. Extensive clinical trials will be needed to validate its safety and efficacy in patients with various neurological conditions.

Additionally, ethical considerations around brain-computer interfaces, particularly implantable versions, will need to be carefully addressed. Issues of data privacy, informed consent for patients with cognitive impairments, and potential unintended consequences of altering neural activity must all be thoroughly examined.

Despite these challenges, the MiBMI system represents an exciting step forward in our ability to help patients with severe neurological disorders. As a healthcare technology leader focused on improving care for those with dementia and other conditions, I'm optimistic about the potential of this and similar neurotechnology innovations to transform lives.

The field of neurotechnology is advancing rapidly, with new breakthroughs emerging regularly. For neurologists and other clinicians working with patients who have communication impairments, staying informed about these developments is crucial. Technologies like MiBMI may soon provide powerful new tools for assessment, treatment, and ongoing care management.

To maximize the impact from such innovations, collaborations between neuroscientists, engineers, clinicians, and ethicists will be vital to responsibly develop and implement these promising technologies.

As we stand on the cusp of a new era in neurotechnology, the future looks brighter for those living with neurological disorders. With continued innovation and collaboration, we may soon witness a world where no one is truly silenced by their condition - where thoughts can become words, and connection can transcend physical limitations. Breakthroughs like these inspire me to work tirelessly in my own role, knowing that each advancement brings us closer to transforming lives and restoring voices to those who have lost them.

REFERENCES
1. Mitchell, MD. An Entire Brain-Machine Interface on a Chip. News. EPFL. Published August 26, 2024. Accessed September 23, 2024. https://actu.epfl.ch/news/an-entire-brain-machine-interface-on-a-chip/
2. Shaeri MA, Motallebzadeh HT, Asgarian F, Sodagar AM. A 2.46 mm² miniaturized brain-machine interface (MiBMI) enabling 31-class brain-to-text decoding. IEEE J Solid-State Circuits. Published online 2024. doi:10.1109/JSSC.2023.10643873
3. Shah NK. AI-Powered Neurotech Could Revolutionize Dementia Care and Unlock Communications. News. NeurologyLive. Published April 30, 2024. Accessed September 23, 2024. https://www.neurologylive.com/view/ai-powered-neurotech-could-revolutionize-dementia-care-unlock-communications.
4. EPFL INL Lab. MiBMI: Miniaturized Brain-Machine Interfaces for Brain-to-Text Decoding. Accessed September 23, 2024. https://www.epfl.ch/labs/inl/inl/research/
5. Shah NK. CareYaya OpenMindTM Initiative. Blog. CareYaya. Published July 12, 2024. Accessed September 23, 2024. https://www.careyaya.org/resources/blog/openmind-neurotech-initiative
6. Shah NK. CareYayaTV: Bringing Joy and Reducing Stress for Those with Dementia. Blog. CareYaya. Published June 4, 2024. Accessed September 23, 2024. https://www.careyaya.org/resources/blog/videos-for-dementia
7. Hodge R. As mother battles dementia, daughter works with AI to improve communication. News. ABC 13 News. Published April 23, 2024. Accessed September 23, 2024. https://wlos.com/news/local/ai-artificial-intelligence-dementia-lake-junaluska-mother-daughter-developer-improve-communication-north-carolina

Neal K. Shah is the Chief Executive Officer of CareYaya Health Technologies, one of the fastest-growing health tech startups in America. He runs a social enterprise and applied research lab utilizing AI and neurotech to advance health equity for the aging population. Mr. Shah has advanced AI projects to improve neurological care with support from the National Institutes of Health, Johns Hopkins AITC and Harvard Innovation Labs. Mr. Shah is a “Top Healthcare Voice” on LinkedIn with a 45k+ following.