A new error-monitoring brain-computer interface based on reinforcement learning for people with autism spectrum disorders.

Autor:	Pires G; Institute of Systems and Robotics of the University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.; Engineering Department, Polytechnic Institute of Tomar, Tomar, Portugal., Cruz A; Institute of Systems and Robotics of the University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal., Jesus D; Institute of Systems and Robotics of the University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal., Yasemin M; Institute of Systems and Robotics of the University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal., Nunes UJ; Institute of Systems and Robotics of the University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal., Sousa T; Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research of the University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal., Castelo-Branco M; Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research of the University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.; Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
Jazyk:	angličtina
Zdroj:	Journal of neural engineering [J Neural Eng] 2022 Dec 12; Vol. 19 (6). Date of Electronic Publication: 2022 Dec 12.
DOI:	10.1088/1741-2552/aca798
Abstrakt:	Objective. Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are emerging as promising cognitive training tools in neurodevelopmental disorders, as they combine the advantages of traditional computerized interventions with real-time tailored feedback. We propose a gamified BCI based on non-volitional neurofeedback for cognitive training, aiming at reaching a neurorehabilitation tool for application in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Approach. The BCI consists of an emotional facial expression paradigm controlled by an intelligent agent that makes correct and wrong actions, while the user observes and judges the agent's actions. The agent learns through reinforcement learning (RL) an optimal strategy if the participant generates error-related potentials (ErrPs) upon incorrect agent actions. We hypothesize that this training approach will allow not only the agent to learn but also the BCI user, by participating through implicit error scrutiny in the process of learning through operant conditioning, making it of particular interest for disorders where error monitoring processes are altered/compromised such as in ASD. In this paper, the main goal is to validate the whole methodological BCI approach and assess whether it is feasible enough to move on to clinical experiments. A control group of ten neurotypical participants and one participant with ASD tested the proposed BCI approach. Main results. We achieved an online balanced-accuracy in ErrPs detection of 81.6% and 77.1%, respectively for two different game modes. Additionally, all participants achieved an optimal RL strategy for the agent at least in one of the test sessions. Significance. The ErrP classification results and the possibility of successfully achieving an optimal learning strategy, show the feasibility of the proposed methodology, which allows to move towards clinical experimentation with ASD participants to assess the effectiveness of the approach as hypothesized. (Creative Commons Attribution license.)
Databáze:	MEDLINE
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