image: Orange-arrow loop: Intracranial electrophysiological data are captured by macro-microelectrodes from the subject’s brain and streamed to the data acquisition device and a host computer, where the data analysis is performed. In the host computer, real-time high-pass filtering and spike sorting are conducted, which provides real-time single-neuron activity. After a fast analysis of the neurons’ responses, the responsive stimuli are selected and maintained in the stimulus set presented to the subject. Blue-arrow loop: The intracranial electrophysiology data are collected with the data acquisition device and processed by the host computer, where biomarkers of memory functioning are extracted to drive electrical stimulation to enhance memory performance.
Credit: Chen-yu Pang, Jun-jie Wang, Ana Sanchez Jimenez, Enrique Fernández Serra, Santiago Cordisco Gonzalez, Chen-cheng Zhang, Qiang-qiang Liu, Ji-wen Xu, Yong Lu, Rodrigo Quian Quiroga.
This review describes human single-neuron recordings and new evidence of concept cells from Ruijin Hospital, and proposes a framework to apply these recordings for closed-loop single-neuron brain‒computer interfaces. This review present single-unit data from four patients at Ruijin Hospital and describe the procedures for paradigm design, spike detection and sorting, as well as neuronal response identification, and discuss this within the framework of current BCI clinical applications. By integrating clinical advances with single-neuron recording, Authors outline two closed-loop strategies: (1) adaptive neural feedback systems that facilitates new studies with human single neuron recordings and particularly with concept cells and (2) adaptive neuromodulation systems that adjust stimulation parameters on the basis of single-neuron responses to study memory processing.
Journal
LabMed Discovery
Method of Research
News article
Article Title
A framework for human brain–computer interfaces with single-neuron recordings
Article Publication Date
31-Mar-2026