Brain Devices

In this section

Here we are providing a selection of key readings on some established and new applications of brain devices. We are also providing a list of the main European research centres in this field.

Brain devices in brief

Brain devices offer a new approach to restore or modulate neural functions that are lost or compromised because of a nervous system disorder, injury or stroke. They work by coupling the nervous system to a tool which stimulates or reads out neural activity in a more or less invasive manner.

Devices which electrically stimulate neurons are already in wide clinical use. Thousands of people are using deep brain stimulation (DBS) to treat the symptoms of movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and dystonia while additional applications are being tested for psychiatric disorders.

Brain devices that detect neural activity are at a much earlier stage of development. These devices, commonly known as brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) or brain–computer interfaces (BCIs), have the potential to be used for translating motor intention of an individual into command signals to control computers, machines and other types of prosthetic tools, thus providing an undisputable increase in the quality of life of disabled people.

If you want to read more on the different technologies, please visit our Links page or look for a research centre.