Hybrid BCI (Brain-Computer Interface) Laboratory

BCI (Brain-Computer Interface) is a field of technology enabling direct communication between the human brain and external devices, such as robotic limbs. BCI research and innovation are mostly intended to assist individuals with various neurological, cognitive, motor and/or sensory disabilities, enabling them to perform functions with the power of thought alone. For example, BCI can enable paralyzed individuals to move a robotic arm simply by visualizing the desired movement in their minds.

HIT’s Hybrid BCI Laboratory was founded in 2012, as part of the national initiative for establishing research excellence centers, backed by the Israel Science Foundation (ISF). The Lab is equipped with a range of state-of-the-art technologies: robotic limbs; 80-channel EEG system for reading electric signals from the brain; eye tracker that tracks eye movements – helpful in diagnosing psychiatric disorders; electrocardiogram (EKG) recording the heart’s electrical activity; Kinect motion-sensing device; devices for measuring and amplifying indications of physiological reactions like heartbeat, sweating and muscle activity; and more.
The Lab collaborates with neurologists at the Wolfson Medical Center and Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, as well as partners in Ireland (Ulster University, Ulster), Canada (McGill University, Montreal), Germany (Max Plank Institute, Berlin), and Japan (RIKEN, Tokyo) in various projects described below.

Below is a sample of innovative tools and technologies developed at HIT’s BCI Laboratory:

Strong multimodal BCI system – for paralyzed individuals 

The Lab’s team is developing an improved, reliable, and adaptable multimodal BCI system that will decode brain signals indicating specific arm movements, to move an external device, such a robotic arm, in 3D space. The innovation will enable people paralyzed by stroke, ALS, MS, or other neurodegenerative conditions, to perform daily functions by simply visualizing movements in their mind. To locate and identify brain signals associated with specific movements, the researchers first monitor healthy individuals, using the Lab’s advanced equipment, then incorporate the discovered codes into the novel model. 

Identifying predictive bioindicators – for stroke patients

In this project researchers work to identify predictive bioindicators of brain activity in the cerebral cortex (outer layer of the brain) of stroke patients – indicating their condition, progress, and response to treatments, and offering prognosis for full or partial recovery.  

Identifying neural circuits – for bipolar disorder

The researchers are developing objective, measurable tools, based on brain signals, for diagnosing and monitoring different types of bipolar disorder, and identifying individuals who might be prone to this disorder. A special helmet records the brain activity of people with and without bipolar disorder as they are subjected to a range of emotional stimuli, applying two different technologies – EEG (measuring electrical signals) and fNIRS (estimating cortical hemodynamic activity which occurs in response to neural activity). Findings indicate a difference in brain activity between people with bipolar disorder (as well as their close family members) and the control group. The researchers are also investigating the hypothesis that bipolar disorder is linked to abnormal brain-body interactions, manifested through altered heart-brain responses and dynamics. 

Partners: Israel’s Ministry of Science and Technology; Sha’ar Menashe – Israel’s largest Mental Health Center; a mental health center in Grenoble, France; and the Max Plank Institute in Berlin. The IDF has expressed interest in the study, which can help identify recruits prone to bipolar disorder.

Monitoring neural circuits – for Parkinson’s disease

Researchers at the BCI Lab are developing tools for monitoring the brain activity of individuals with Parkinson’s disease, with a special focus on a known difficulty: performing cognitive tasks concurrently with motor functions, such as walking.  

Partner: The Laboratory for Gait and Neuro-dynamics at the Tel Aviv (Ichilov) Medical Center

For more information please contact:

Dr. Ronen Sosnik

+972-3-502 6623   ronens@hit.ac.il