Advances in Brain-Machine Interfaces

A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Physiology and Pathology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2025 | Viewed by 1108

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
Interests: brain-machine interfaces; neurophysiology; somatosensory cortex; motor cortex
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Brain–machine interfaces (BMIs), also known as brain–computer interfaces (BCIs), are often defined as devices that use neural activity to control other devices. The concept of BMIs has evolved over the past decade to include various classes and variants. In other words, BMIs are becoming increasingly relevant in clinical and non-clinical settings, extending well beyond their initial proposed uses, with multiple other applications currently being tested. This means that BMIs currently being tested in non-clinical environments may hold the potential to become relevant in clinical settings.

In this Special Issue, we invite the submission of research studies and reviews regarding the current and future clinical applications of BMIs. We aim to provide a comprehensive representation of the various fields in which BMIs are being employed. To complement the existing findings and forecast forthcoming clinical applications, pre-clinical studies involving animal models may also be considered. It is expected that this Special Issue will help to identify the current limitations and areas with the potential for growth in the field of clinical BMIs.

Dr. Miguel Pais-Vieira
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Life is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • brain–machine interfaces
  • brain–computer interfaces
  • neurorehabilitation
  • neuroengineering
  • neurophysiology

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (1 paper)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Review

27 pages, 1361 KiB  
Review
The Neuroscience Behind Writing: Handwriting vs. Typing—Who Wins the Battle?
by Giuseppe Marano, Georgios D. Kotzalidis, Francesco Maria Lisci, Maria Benedetta Anesini, Sara Rossi, Sara Barbonetti, Andrea Cangini, Alice Ronsisvalle, Laura Artuso, Cecilia Falsini, Romina Caso, Giuseppe Mandracchia, Caterina Brisi, Gianandrea Traversi, Osvaldo Mazza, Roberto Pola, Gabriele Sani, Eugenio Maria Mercuri, Eleonora Gaetani and Marianna Mazza
Life 2025, 15(3), 345; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15030345 - 22 Feb 2025
Viewed by 930
Abstract
Background: The advent of digital technology has significantly altered ways of writing. While typing has become the dominant mode of written communication, handwriting remains a fundamental human skill, and its profound impact on cognitive processes continues to be a topic of intense scientific [...] Read more.
Background: The advent of digital technology has significantly altered ways of writing. While typing has become the dominant mode of written communication, handwriting remains a fundamental human skill, and its profound impact on cognitive processes continues to be a topic of intense scientific scrutiny. Methods: This paper investigates the neural mechanisms underlying handwriting and typing, exploring the distinct cognitive and neurological benefits associated with each. By synthesizing findings from neuroimaging studies, we explore how handwriting and typing differentially activate brain regions associated with motor control, sensory perception, and higher-order cognitive functions. Results: Handwriting activates a broader network of brain regions involved in motor, sensory, and cognitive processing. Typing engages fewer neural circuits, resulting in more passive cognitive engagement. Despite the advantages of typing in terms of speed and convenience, handwriting remains an important tool for learning and memory retention, particularly in educational contexts. Conclusions: This review contributes to the ongoing debate about the role of technology in education and cognitive development. By understanding the neural differences between handwriting and typing, we can gain insights into optimal learning strategies and potential cognitive advantages, in order to optimize educational, cognitive, and psychological methodologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Brain-Machine Interfaces)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop