Brain-Computer Interface for Monitoring and Inducing Affective States

Brain Computer Interfaces (BCI) allow for modification of subject's environment or control of external devices by the power of thought alone. They achieve this by analysis of small electrical potentials generated by the subject's brain while its owner is thinking. Emotions involve specific mental states hence also involve particular patterns of brains electrical activity. The proposed research will build innovative intelligent BCI systems that can monitor our emotions, and modify them automatically and adaptively via controlled computer music generation system. Creation of such systems would advance our understanding of fundamental relationships between the subjective emotions, corresponding brain states and characteristics of music that can induce very vivid and powerful emotions in humans. Such systems can be used for treatment of emotional/mood disorders such as depression so are of direct benefit to society and NHS. In addition, they are of interest for healthy subjects as means of relaxation or perhaps by enhancement of gaming experience. Thus the proposed project could also lead to interesting developments in the entertainment industries such as the gaming industry.

This research will contribute towards the enhancement of the quality of life, health in the society and the economic competitiveness of the entertainment industry in the UK, including the gaming industries and music. Its interdisciplinary nature will also benefit several academic stakeholders as outlined in the Academic Beneficiaries section.
BCI technology to monitor and induce affective states will impact on the health sector by providing a valuable tool in preventive and therapeutic programmes for health problems such as stress, depression, anxiety and other conditions related to affective states. Stress is an endemic problem in our society and economy. According to a study by the mental health charity Mind (http://www.mind.org.uk/), every year UK businesses lose £26 billion and 70 million working days because of stress. Excessive stress leads to anxiety and more severe cases of depression. Stress may cause suppression of the immune system, insomnia, fatigue, and affect adversely productivity. Persistent cases may lead to social withdrawal and family dysfunction. The project impact will be enhanced by liaising with the health sector in order to raise their awareness on this projects goals and prepare the ground for taking our systems out of the lab into the real world of special needs as soon as we have a working prototype.
Activities that will enhance impact on creative industry include organisation of the Workshop during Peninsula Arts Contemporary Music Festival in Plymouth which will enable us to spread awareness about the technology developed in the music industry.
The project will positively impact public understanding of science via press exposure campaign, use of internet media (dedicated WWW page, youtube etc) for dissemination of the information about the project as well as by using the exploitation channels available at both universities.
Lastly, in additional to the usual channels of academic dissemination the impact on academia will be enhanced by the organisation of the International Workshop at Reading as well as by providing a an excellent training for highly qualified interdisciplinary research staff.