Neurological Diagnosis and Restoration
- Implantable brain-machine interfaces for restoring motor and communication control
- Neuroological correlates of swallowing and restoration of swallowing with brain-machine interfaces
- Automated MEG with artificial intelligence
We will challenge every phases to restore disabled neural function. We begin with identification of neurological correlates, then develop implantable devices and neural decoding with artificial intelligence, and finally realize their clinical application.
1) Brain-machine interfaces to restore motor and communication control
This project involves the development of brain-machine interfaces (BMI) that use artificial intelligence to decode brain signals to control robotic arms and communications devices. We are a world-leading group regarding device development of wireless implantable BMIs. The clinical trial of our first-generation 100 channel system for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, will start soon and we are already developing the second generation system, which carries 1000 channels.
2) Identification of neurological correlates of swallowing and restoration of swallowing disturbance using BMIs
According to recent aging problem, aspiration pneumonia due to dysphagia has become a main cause of death. Dysphagia may arise from neural disturbance, but the human neural mechanism of swallowing remains almost unknown. Here, we focus on this mechanism and restoration of swallowing using BMIs. We found that swallowing involves interaction between cerebral voluntary control and autonomic control by the brainstem.
3) Automated MEG test with artificial intelligence
We are working on automatization of MEG test using artificial intelligence.
