Development of a real-time LORETA BCI system with a non-invasive brain stimulation priming stage to enhance the efficacy of EEG-BCI

EEG is a convenient methods of recording brain activity with excellent time resolution, making it an effective tool for neurofeedback ie. real time self-regulation of brain activity. A number of neurological disorders could be treated through neurofeedback such as epilepsy, insomnia, pain or depression. However currently large percentage of people are not able to master this technique. The aim of this project is to create neurofeedback system based on EEG and to mimic fMRI by estimating deep brain activity in real time through source localisation methods. We will create a system for real time brain source localisation based on existing off line solutions that are computationally inefficient. We hypothetise that more effective brain modulation can be achieved by targeting deep brain structures. We will test this hypothesis based on brain structure responsible for the control of movement. We will also combine EEG neurofeedback with transcranial direct current stimulation as a priming method to enhance the effect of neurofeedback.
If successfully this approach (deep brain source neuromodulation combined with priming) could be used in first instance for rehabilitation of movement but could be extended to treatment of any neurological condition treated with neurofeedback to improve its efficacy and increase success of learning neurofeedback strategy.
Collaboration with Dr Learmonth from the School of Psychology would be instrumental in applying transcranial direct current stimulation and interpreting its neurological mechanism of action.