A Survey of Technologies for Brain Computer Interface Developments to
Treat Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Abstract
Neuropsychiatric disorders are a huge cause of global disability.
Despite decades of research little progress has been made on effective
treatments for many of these disorders. Brain-computer interfacing (BCI)
is a method that allows for a close integration between computer
interfaces and functional brain activation. It is currently under
investigation to work as a neuroprosthetic to restore vision, hearing
and muscle movement. Further development of BCI technologies have the
potential to alter the approach taken with regard to the treatment of
neuropsychiatric disorders, and may greatly improve the quality of life
for many individuals suffering from currently untreatable disorders,
such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease or treatment resistant
depression. This article will address what criteria are of importance
for effective implementation of BCI in the treatment of different
neuropsychiatric disorders, and will provide an overview of the
different types of brain computer interfaces that are under development.
It will conclude with an overview of limitations and future directions
of BCI technologies.