EEG-Based Brain–Computer Interfaces

A brain–computer interface (BCI) offers an alternative to natural communication and control by recording brain activity, processing it online, and producing control signals that reflect the user’s intent or the current user state. Therefore, a BCI provides a non-muscular communication channel that can be used to convey messages and commands without any muscle activity. This chapter presents information on the use of different electroencephalographic (EEG) features such as steady-state visual evoked potentials, P300 components, event-related desynchronization, or a combination of different EEG features and other physiological signals for EEG-based BCIs. This chapter also reviews motor imagery as a control strategy, discusses various training paradigms, and highlights the importance of feedback. It also discusses important clinical applications such as spelling systems, neuroprostheses, and rehabilitation after stroke. The chapter concludes with a discussion on different perspectives for the future of BCIs.