Foundations of neurotechnology

In this module you will learn the basics of Brain Computer Interface (BCI). You will read an introduction to the different technologies available, the main components and steps required for BCI, the safety and ethical issues and an overview about the future of the field.

In this modules, users will learn about the different types of neurotechnology and how each of them works. This will be done through the metaphor of going to a symphony... in your brain. Like a symphony, brain processes emerge from collections of neural activity. This video encourages us to imagine ourselves moving to different areas in the concert hall to understand where different technologies interface. Once the concert ends, we talk about underlying neural mechanisms and technology that allow researchers and innovators to interact with the brain.

This modules addresses how neurotechnology is used for medical and non-medical applications right now, and how it might advance in the future.

This module covers a brief history of the neurotechnology industry. Join us as we explore the story of neurotech. This lesson brings the history of brain-computer interfacing to life through engaging skits and stories. We cover topics and breakthrough discoveries such as discovering that the brain is the center of consciousness and cognition, the discovery of bioelectricity, the creation of technologies that have allowed us to peer into the brain, important experiments conducted in the 20th century, and the start of commercialization and democratization of these technologies.

This module covers some basic anatomy such as the brain’s major divisions (brainstem, cerebellum, cerebrum), the cerebral lobes (frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital), the central and peripheral nervous systems, theories of cognition, and brain orientation terms.

This module explores sensation in the brain: what organs are involved, sensory pathways, processing centers, and theories of integration. We cover sensory transduction, vision, audition olfaction, gustation, and somatosensation.

This module covers how the brain interacts with the world through motor movements. Motor movements underlie so much of our functioning, our speech, the opening and closing of our eyes, and the beating of our hearts. We’ll learn about areas of the brain involved in movement and some of its pathways.

This module covers the structure and function of the neuron, its components and mechanisms, action potentials, and the many glial cells that support it.

This module explains how neurons come together to create the networks that give rise to our thoughts. The totality of our neurons and their connection is called our connectome. Learn how this connectome changes as we learn, and computes information. We will also learn about physiological phenomena of the brain such as synchronicity that gives rise to brain waves.

This module covers many types of invasive neurotechnology devices/interfaces for the central and peripheral nervous systems. Invasive neurotech devices are really important as they often provide the greatest accuracy and long-term use applicability.

This module covers many of the types of non-invasive neurotech and neuroimaging devices including Electroencephalography (EEG), Electromyography (EMG), Electroneurography (ENG), Magnetoencephalography (MEG), functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNRIs), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), and Computed Tomography

Neuromodulation refers to devices that influence the firing of neurons which can be useful in many medical applications. This modules covers about what neuromodulation is, how it affects the functioning of neurons, and the many forms that these devices take on, including DBS, spinal cord stimulation, tDCS, stimulatory ECoG, vagus nerve stimulation, and TMS.

This modules covers neuroprosthetic and cognitive enhancement devices that can help augment our capabilities by enhancing memory, restoring or improving our senses,

This module goes over the methods that neurotechnologists use to turn brain data into commands a computer or a machine can understand. We cover data collection, processing, filtering, analysis, how to generate an action in a device, asynchronous BCIs that use population encoding, and synchronous BCIs that use P300, SSVEP, N100, and N400 signals. A little unsure of what all those terms actually mean? No worries! That is what the module is for :)

This module covers the many things that brain-computer interfaces can and will be able to do. This includes motor neuroprosthetics like prosthetic arms, exosuits, and vehicle control, computer and machine interfacing use-cases like typing and playing video games, speech and communication applications, neurofeedback meditation and sleep devices, and BCI-driven art.

This module covers how Neurotechnology is perceived in media today. We discuss a few specific films and talk about how the perception of Neurotechnology changes with our media. Finally, we introduce a few interesting terms related to ethics and address some future issues the technology may cause.

What will happen to the mind and our personalities when we start modifying our brains and bodies with technology? What is the mind and how should we think about it? What is a cyborg and what makes them human? Where is the line between these? This video invites us to think about what the future of consciousness might look like. While these may be unanswerable questions right now, we compiled the ideas of some of history's best philosophers and paired them with interesting findings in the field of neurotechnology to help us get closer to answering these questions. The goal of neurophilosophy and ethics should be to cause us to think proactively about the future we want to create and the future we want to avoid when talking about neurotechnology and brain-computer interfaces.