III. “Clinical Issues and Applications” (org. by: John Donoghue, Andrea Kűbler)

The central rationale and ultimate goal of BCI research is development of powerful new communication and control options for people with severe motor disabilities, especially those people who are totally paralyzed, or “locked-in.” This workshop will focus on the complex clinical, psychological, social, scientific, engineering, and economic issues critical for validation and implementation of BCI applications to improve the lives of those with severe disabilities. These issues include: identification of those groups of potential users (e.g., those with particular disorders, particular levels of disability, or particular needs) most suited for BCI technology; identification of those applications of most use to particular user groups; design and realization of rigorous research studies that can validate new applications both in terms of their theoretical capacities and their actual attractiveness to the target user groups; effective integration of BCI applications into the lives of users and their families and caregivers; minimization of the level of expert oversight necessary to set up applications for new users and to ensure the long-term functioning of these applications; and engagement of commercial enterprises and medical insurance providers to promote provision of BCI applications to the full population of potential users. The workshop participants will include rehabilitation clinicians (neurologists, physiatrists) and engineers, neuroscientists, and representatives of medical equipment and biotechnology firms.