The researchers identified independent neural modes—distinct patterns of population-level neural activity that were informative about both timing and magnitude of attempted force. Different neural modes were observed during static and dynamic grasping conditions, suggesting independent control schemes for maintaining and changing forces. These modes correlated with specific task phases including onset, offset, holding periods, and increasing or decreasing attempted forces. These findings inform the design of intracortical brain-computer interface (iBCI) systems that can leverage patterns of grasp and force control evident in sensorimotor cortex during attempted movement to restore dexterous hand function.
Motor Cortex Patterns Decode Grasp Control
Summary
US researchers using intracortical microelectrode arrays identified distinct neural patterns in the motor and somatosensory cortex of patients with spinal cord injury that separately encode the timing and force of grasping, offering new ideas for developing more precise brain-computer interface (BCI) systems.
Why it matters
Demonstrating that intracortical microelectrode arrays can precisely decode motor intent in patients with spinal cord injury, the study supplies key neurological evidence and a technical foundation for neuroprosthetic systems aimed at restoring hand function and quality of life.
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pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov 2026-07-29