EN
We will start with a brief introduction of the state of the art in EEG-based brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). Similar technologies, that is experimental paradigms and signal processing methods derived from the field of BCI, are believed to be promising candidates to solve one of the major problems of contemporary neuroscience, which is the lack of a stable method for assessment of patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC), commonly (and not quite correctly) addressed as “coma”. This situation motivates the research project started recently in cooperation with a model hospital for children with severe brain damage (Warsaw’s “Alarm Clock Clinic”). In the second part of this talk we will briefly present some of the preliminary results. P300 event-related potential is the classical electroenceph alographic indicator of conscious information processing. It occurs as a component in the EEG trials synchronized to those stimuli, that the subject was paying attention to, e.g. counting. In the standard P300-BCI paradigm, concentration on one of the subsequently flashing stimuli can be used as a conscious choice of one of the options, allowing for non-muscular transfer of information directly from the brain. If reliably detected in a DoC patient in response to the stimulus that the patient was asked to count, it proves the patient’s ability to understand and follow commands. Also, it offers a possibility of establishing a non‑muscular communication channel. A similar reasoning proves the usefulness of detection of the movement imagery reflections in EEG. Finally, brain’s recovery can be also reflected in regaining the sleep pattern known from healthy subjects, also observable in EEG recordings. Detailed presentations of preliminary results from these approaches will be available in the poster session. FINANCIAL SUPPORT: This research was supported by the Polish National Science Centre grant 2015/17/B/ ST7/03784.