Students in UMO’s Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience course control the movements of their homemade prosthetic hand. (UMO photo)
MOUNT OLIVE — Students in Professor David Shields’ Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience class at the University of Mount Olive are delving into the biological foundations of behavior and cognition. As part of an innovative hands-on curriculum, students learn how the nervous system functions and communicates and how these signals can be harnessed to interact with external objects, such as prosthetics and computer software.
In the early stages of the course, students gain foundational knowledge of the nervous system’s communication network. This theory is applied practically, as students spend several weeks building their own neuroprosthetic hands and connecting them to their nervous systems. Using tiny electrodes placed on the forearm and hand, students can intercept electrical signals from their brains and redirect them to their prosthetic creations, allowing them to visualize how these signals trigger movement. This remarkable demonstration provides a tangible understanding of how human physiology can interface with technology.
“This project helps students see how the nervous system works in real-time,” said Shields. “By intercepting signals from their bodies and directing them to the prosthetics they’ve built, they gain a deeper understanding of how prosthetics and assistive devices can be developed for individuals with disabilities.”
This semester, the class took the concept further by exploring how Brain-Machine Interfaces (BMIs) can be developed using similar principles. Instead of interfacing with a prosthetic hand, students learned how to use electrical signals from their nervous systems to control computer software—in this case, a video game. The signals from muscles in one arm were coded to control a character’s movement, while signals from the other arm were coded to make the character jump.
“While BMIs are often associated with advanced systems like robotic arms, this exercise demonstrates how everyday signals from the body can trigger actions in something as familiar as a video game, like Super Mario Brothers,” said Shields. “It gives students an engaging way to grasp the concept of non-invasive human electrophysiology.”
This hands-on experiment introduces students to cutting-edge technology and highlights the real-world applications of neuroscience in biomedical engineering and assistive technology. By learning to capture electrical signals and program them to interact with external systems, students gain insight into how these interfaces can significantly improve the lives of individuals with physical disabilities.
“The benefits for students are substantial,” said Shields. “They not only gain practical experience in neuroscience but also see how technology can be applied to create more accessible lives for those with physical disabilities. These demonstrations help them understand the challenges and opportunities in biomedical engineering and assistive technology.”
As the course progresses, students will continue to explore how biological processes and neuroscience are applied to modern technology, providing them with the tools to address real-world challenges and innovate solutions for the future.
