Can the occipital alpha-phase speed up visual detection through a real-time EEG-based brain-computer interface (BCI)?

Vigué-Guix, I., Morís Fernández, L., Torralba Cuello, M., Ruzzoli, M. and Soto-Faraco, S. (2022) Can the occipital alpha-phase speed up visual detection through a real-time EEG-based brain-computer interface (BCI)? European Journal of Neuroscience, 55(11-12), pp. 3224-3240. (doi: 10.1111/ejn.14931) (PMID:32745332)

Abstract

Electrical brain oscillations reflect fluctuations in neural excitability. Fluctuations in the alpha band (α, 8–12 Hz) in the occipito-parietal cortex are thought to regulate sensory responses, leading to cyclic variations in visual perception. Inspired by this theory, some past and recent studies have addressed the relationship between α-phase from extra-cranial EEG and behavioural responses to visual stimuli in humans. The latest studies have used offline approaches to confirm α-gated cyclic patterns. However, a particularly relevant implication is the possibility to use this principle online, whereby stimuli are time-locked to specific α-phases leading to predictable outcomes in performance. Here, we aimed at providing a proof of concept for such real-time neurotechnology. Participants performed a speeded response task to visual targets that were presented upon a real-time estimation of the α-phase via an EEG closed-loop brain–computer interface (BCI). According to the theory, we predicted a modulation of reaction times (RTs) along the α-cycle. Our BCI system achieved reliable trial-to-trial phase locking of stimuli to the phase of individual occipito-parietal α-oscillations. Yet, the behavioural results did not support a consistent relation between RTs and the phase of the α-cycle neither at group nor at single participant levels. We must conclude that although the α-phase might play a role in perceptual decisions from a theoretical perspective, its impact on EEG-based BCI application appears negligible.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Ruzzoli, Dr Manuela
• Authors: Vigué-Guix, I., Morís Fernández, L., Torralba Cuello, M., Ruzzoli, M., and Soto-Faraco, S.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
• Journal Name: European Journal of Neuroscience
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISSN: 0953-816X
• ISSN (Online): 1460-9568
• Published Online: 03 August 2020
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2020 Federation of European Neuroscience Societies and John Wiley and Sons Ltd
• First Published: First published in European Journal of Neuroscience 55(11-12): 3224-3240
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy