ITACA: An open-source framework for Neurofeedback based on Brain-Computer Interfaces.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Neurofeedback (NF) is a paradigm that allows users to self-modulate patterns of brain activity. It is implemented with a closed-loop brain-computer interface (BCI) system that analyzes the user's brain activity in real-time and provides continuous feedback. This paradigm is of great interest due to its potential as a non-pharmacological and non-invasive alternative to treat non-degenerative brain disorders. Nevertheless, currently available NF frameworks have several limitations, such as the lack of a wide variety of real-time analysis metrics or overly simple training scenarios that may negatively affect user performance. To overcome these limitations, this work proposes ITACA: a novel open-source framework for the design, implementation and evaluation of NF training paradigms.

METHODS

ITACA is designed to be easy-to-use, flexible and attractive. Specifically, ITACA includes three different gamified training scenarios with a choice of five brain activity metrics as real-time feedback. Among them, novel metrics based on functional connectivity and network theory stand out. It is complemented with five different computerized versions of widespread cognitive assessment tests. To validate the proposed framework, a computational efficiency analysis and an NF training protocol focused on frontal-medial theta modulation were conducted.

RESULTS

Efficiency analysis proved that all implemented metrics allow an optimal feedback update rate for conducting NF sessions. Furthermore, conducted NF protocol yielded results that support the use of ITACA in NF research studies.

CONCLUSIONS

ITACA implements a wide variety of features for designing, conducting and evaluating NF studies with the goal of helping researchers expand the current state-of-the-art in NF training.