References

Sep 2008

BOLD Correlates of continuously fluctuating epileptic activity isolated by independent component analysis.

by Kay Jann

In epilepsy the correct diagnosis of the syndrome and the identification of the irritative zone are of great interest since it is necessary for correct treatment and eventually surgical intervention. This irritative zone is not only involved in the epileptic crises, but also produces fluctuating interictal activity. Iterictal activity fluctuates spontaneously, has typical EEG signatures, and is assumed to mostly result from activity in sharply delimited regions. Therefore, a method that detects random events with high temporal and spatial resolution is needed...

Apr 2008

Effects of Simultaneous EEG Recording on MRI Data Quality at 1.5, 3 and 7 Tesla

by Karen Mullinger and Richard Bowtell

Concurrent EEG and fMRI is becoming an increasingly important tool in the investigation of human brain function. If the benefits of this tool are to be fully realised, it is important however to ensure that EEG and fMRI data acquired simultaneously are of similar quality to data acquired using each technique on its own. Making EEG recordings inside an MR scanner poses some particular technical challenges...

Jan 2008

Sleep consolidates memories

by Björn Rasch

It is assumed that the positive influence of sleep on memory consolidation is based on a covert reactivation of memories encoded during prior wakefulness. Specifically, fresh memory traces are initially stored in hippocampal areas and are subsequently re-activated during slow-wave sleep (SWS)...

Sep 2007

Auditory temporal grouping in newborn infants

by Dr. Gabor Stefanics

Auditory pattern formation is an important higher level function of auditory perception. The ability to detect repeating pitch patterns, i.e., to form groups from a short sequence of sounds, underlies skills that are crucial for making sense of complex auditory scenes as well as to learn speech and music...

Jun 2007

ERP differences with vs. without concurrent fMRI

by Dr. Aureliu Lavric

The rigorous integration of EEG-derived ERPs and fMRI requires concurrent data acquisition, which poses non-trivial problems, in particular regarding EEG contamination by artefact from switches of MRI gradients and from pulsatile motion of scalp electrodes caused by the cardiac cycle in the large stationary magnetic field...

Feb 2007

Synchronization facilitates removal of MRI artefacts from concurrent EEG recordings and increases usable bandwidth

by Prof. Dr. Daniel Brandeis

Non-invasive simultaneous EEG and fMRI measurements have started to clarify the coupling between metabolic and electrical aspects of human brain function. Initial developments were driven by clinical application in epilepsy [1, 2], where the critical EEG signals are large in amplitude and low in  frequency (over 100μV and under 30Hz)...

Nov 2006

Using a combined ERP/TMS protocol to investigate corticocortical interactions in attention

by Martin Eimer

It is generally acknowledged that the aim of cognitive neuroscience to identify the neural basis of cognitive functions in the human brain cannot be achieved on the basis of a single method. Developing joint-method approaches where different measurement techniques with complementary strengths are combined has therefore become a major focus in neuroscience...

Mar 2006

Assessing the spatiotemporal evolution of neuronal activation with single-trial event-related potentials and functional MRI

by Tom Eichele

How do we get around to ‘Having [y]our voxels and timing them too?’ (1) We certainly need to acquire functional magnetic resonance (BOLD-fMRI) and event-related potential (ERP) data simultaneously (2). Technically, this should be quite easy – at least in our experience, using BrainAmps MR plus amplifiers...

Sep 2005

Trial-by trial coupling of concurrent EEG and fMRI identifies the dynamics of performance monitoring

by Stefan Debener

There is continuing interest in the integration of EEG and fMRI, as these signals provide complementary information with regard to the temporal and spatial resolution of brain activity. So far, a direct event-related coupling between electrophysiological brain activity and the hemodynamic BOLD response has been demonstrated only by means of invasive animal recordings...

Jul 2005

The Dynamics of Interhemispheric Compensatory Processes in Mental Imagery

by Alexander T. Sack

The leading journal Science recently published an article on the brain research of the Maastricht scientists Alexander T. Sack and Rainer Goebel. A research that breaks new grounds. The researchers, attached to the Faculty of Psychology, unravel in this publication the specific functions of the left and right hemisphere during the process of mental imagery...

Jun 2005

Surface EMG measurements during fMRI at 3T: Accurate EMG recordings after artifact correction

by H. van Duinen, I. Zijdewind, H. Hoogduin & N. Maurits

In a joint effort of the BCN-Neuroimaging Center and the departments of Clinical Neurophysiology and Medical Physiology of the University of Groningen Medical Center (NL), it has recently been shown that accurate surface EMG can be collected simultaneously with fMRI scanning at 3T...

Apr 2005

Measurement of vigilance and performance in a real-car based driving-simulator

by R. Mager, F. Müller-Spahn, A. H. Bullinger and R. Stoermer

The goal of the study was to evaluate physiological measures and objective performance parameters in sleep deprived drivers. Arousing auditory stimuli were applied by a hypovigilance warning system. Overall 41 subjects were selected, matched for age and driving experience. To create realistic traffic scenarios in a laboratory environment a passenger car simulator was used emulating the functionality of a modern car.

Sep 2008

Taking Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) research onto the track. Potential and challenges for increasing traffic safety.

by Sebastian Welke

Sep 2008

Our small contribution to a Gold Medal at the Olympic Games in Beijing

by Pierluigi Castellone, Sales & Support

Nov 2008

New Mercedes E-Class: 10 times more safety

Auto, Motor + Sport (24.11.2008) – German Article/German Video

In March 2009 Mercedes will launch its new E Class equipped with dozens of
safety features. “Auto, Motor + Sport” introduces the 10 most significant safety innovations …

• Read the article
• Watch the video

Oct 2008

Brain Researchers Fighting Microsleep

RBB - OZON (27.10.2008) – German Article / German Video

It almost sounds like a fairy tale: To realize a car crash before it actually happens. However, that is Sebastian Welke's objective. The brain researcher from Berlin (Germany) looks into the drivers' brains and analysis their reactions.

• Read the article
• Watch the video

Sep 2008

Attention Assist System for Sleepy Heads

Stern (13.09.2008) – German Article

The microsleep has become one of the most common causes of car accidents. Mercedes is planning to install a newly developed “Attention Assist System” in its next E-Class. This system monitors the behavior of the driver constantly and raises an alarm in time.

• Read the article

Jul 2008

The Pattern is what matters!

Gehirn & Geist (30.06.2008) - German Article

According to a recent study imaging procedures tell, when our brain is particularly error-prone. A co-author of the study, Markus Ullsperger from the Max-Planck - Institute for Neurological Research in Cologne, explains why.

• Read the article

May 2008

Monkey’s Brain controls robot arm

BBC (28.05.2008)

Monkeys have been able to control robotic limbs using only their thoughts, scientists report. The animals were able to feed themselves using prosthetic arms, which were controlled by brain activity.

• Read the article and watch the video

May 2008

Wait a Second!

Focus (10.05.2008) - German Article

Psychological techniques derived from Buddhism such as mindfulness and meditation have proven to be effective means to fight stress and burn-out; they create happiness.

• Read the article
• Listen to the audio file

Dec 2007

A Journey Through the Night

Spiegel Online (11.12.2007) - German Article

The Mercedes system can detect via steering wheel movements how tired a driver is. In 2009 the electronic night watchman will enter series production. Tom Grünweg drove drowsily through Stuttgart and tested Mercedes' anti-fatigue alarm for SPIEGEL ONLINE.

• Read the article

Sep 2007

Error Detection in the Grey Matter: Have Scientists discovered Intuition?

Spiegel International Online (21.07.2007)

Whenever humans recognize a mistake, a mysterious wave of electricity passes through the brain. Researchers think the signal could explain addiction, error correction and even the sixth sense.

• Read the article

May 2007

Reading People’s Thoughts via Brain Imaging

ZDF Heute-Journal (30.05.2007) - German Video

Read people’s thoughts via brain waves – the concept is no longer purely a future utopia. The technology could soon offer completely new opportunities for the handicapped, although ethical concerns are considerable.

• Watch the video

Nov 2007 - Today

Fasor – Fahrer als Sensor

“Fasor” is a joint research project of Brain Products, Daimler, TU Berlin, Fraunhofer FIRST, Charite Berlin and Idalab. Its main objective is to develop systems, methods and algorithms to improve the interaction between car, driver and their surroundings.

• Official Website