Conscious brain-to-brain communication in humans using non-invasive technologies

PLoS One. 2014 Aug 19;9(8):e105225. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0105225. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Human sensory and motor systems provide the natural means for the exchange of information between individuals, and, hence, the basis for human civilization. The recent development of brain-computer interfaces (BCI) has provided an important element for the creation of brain-to-brain communication systems, and precise brain stimulation techniques are now available for the realization of non-invasive computer-brain interfaces (CBI). These technologies, BCI and CBI, can be combined to realize the vision of non-invasive, computer-mediated brain-to-brain (B2B) communication between subjects (hyperinteraction). Here we demonstrate the conscious transmission of information between human brains through the intact scalp and without intervention of motor or peripheral sensory systems. Pseudo-random binary streams encoding words were transmitted between the minds of emitter and receiver subjects separated by great distances, representing the realization of the first human brain-to-brain interface. In a series of experiments, we established internet-mediated B2B communication by combining a BCI based on voluntary motor imagery-controlled electroencephalographic (EEG) changes with a CBI inducing the conscious perception of phosphenes (light flashes) through neuronavigated, robotized transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), with special care taken to block sensory (tactile, visual or auditory) cues. Our results provide a critical proof-of-principle demonstration for the development of conscious B2B communication technologies. More fully developed, related implementations will open new research venues in cognitive, social and clinical neuroscience and the scientific study of consciousness. We envision that hyperinteraction technologies will eventually have a profound impact on the social structure of our civilization and raise important ethical issues.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain-Computer Interfaces*
  • Electroencephalography
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Nonverbal Communication
  • Phosphenes
  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
  • Visual Cortex / physiology

Grants and funding

This work was partly supported by the EU FP7 FET Open HIVE project (GR, AR, CG, http://hive-eu.org, FET-Open grant 222079, http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/ict/fetopen/home_en.html), the Starlab Kolmogorov project (GR, CG, SIF-003, http://starlabint.com), the research group 2009SGR00093 from the Generalitat de Catalunya (GR, CG, http://www10.gencat.cat/agaur_web/AppJava/english/a_beca.jsp?categoria=altres&id_beca=4861), and by the Neurology Department of the Hospital de Bellvitge (JLA). Co-authors CG, AR and GR were employed by Starlab Barcelona during these studies. The funder, Starlab, provided support in the form of salaries for authors CG, AR and GR, but did not have any additional role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The specific roles of these authors are articulated in the ‘author contributions’ section. Co-authors RG, TLN and MB are employed by Axilum Robotics. Co-authors AR and GR are employed by Neuroelectrics Barcelona. Axilum Robotics and Neuroelectrics Barcelona provided support in the form of salaries for authors RG, TLN, MB, AR and GR, but did not have any additional role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The specific roles of these authors are articulated in the ‘author contributions’ section.