1st Annual Mini-Symposium & Course "Adaptive Neurotechnologies 2020: Principles and Application"

The goal of this 1st annual Adaptive Neurotechnologies 2020: Principles and Application event is to introduce the rehabilitation and scientific community to the field of Neuroadaptive Approaches (NAs), and specifically to Brain Computer Interfaces (BCI). BCI allows for the use of brain waves to control objects. BCI facilitates the control of computers, prosthetic limbs, orthotic devices, and wheelchairs by people who are paralyzed or have challenges controlling their motor and/or sensory systems. This groundbreaking work is occurring at AdventHealth University (AHU) and AdventHealth Orlando (AH Orlando) — a few select sites around the world to be involved in BCI research for motor rehabilitation. The BCI use at both AHU and AH Orlando is supported by the top developers of BCI technology in the world – g.tec medical engineering GmbH (Linz, Austria). The proposed event targets: rehabilitation clinicians (PT, OT, SLP), researchers, nurses, physicians, educators, and graduate students of these disciplines.

Course Objectives:

1. Discuss      theories utilized when implementing neurorehabilitation
2. Analyze      the principles of motor learning and neuroplasticity
3. Understand      the role of an interprofessional team for implementation of      neurorehabilitation technologies
4. Consider      current and potential future impact of technology on neurorehabilitation
5. Define      main principles of Adaptive Neurotechnologies (ANs)
6. Learn      about the main types AN for clinical application
7. Describe      the use of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) for motor rehabilitation
8. Observe      how to operate BCI for motor rehabilitation
9. Discuss      future development of AN approaches

The following three speakers are going to present and facilitate this annual Adaptive Neurotechnologies 2020: Principles and Application event:

1. Elizabeth Clark, PT, EdD, DPT, NCS, RYT200

Associate Professor, Department of Physical Therapy

AdventHealth University

Dr. Clark is an Associate Professor in Physical Therapy at AdventHealth University. Dr. Clark has a bachelor’s degree in biology from State University of New York (SUNY): Geneseo, a masters and doctoral degree in physical therapy from Upstate Medical University, and an EdD in executive leadership from St. John Fisher College. She has been board certified in neurologic physical therapy since 2008, and her primary areas of interest in clinical practice, teaching, and research include both neurologic physical therapy as well as leadership training and practices in health care. Dr. Clark has previously provided pro-bono physical therapy services and education locally and internationally in the area of neurology. Dr. Clark has published manuscripts and multiple research poster presentations in the areas of leadership, international service learning, and neurologic physical therapy. Dr. Clark is working as a co-investigator on a study with Dr. Korostenskaja utilizing BCIs for neurorehabilitation at AHU.

2. Milena Korostenskaja, PhD

Clinical Research Scientist (Principal), 

Functional Brain Mapping and Brain-Computer Interface Program

Neuroscience Institute

AdventHealth Orlando

Founder and Director of Research

The Institute of Neuroadaptive Approaches

Part-time Faculty

Department of Physical Therapy

Advent Health University

Dr. Milena Korostenskaja leads the Functional Brain Mapping and Brain-Computer Interface program at AdventHealth Orlando. Currently, she is working closely with the Epilepsy Center at AdventHealth Orlando to help guide epilepsy surgery by creating individual functional brain maps for surgical candidates. Dr. Korostenskaja is a founder of The Institute of Neuroadaptive Approaches – the hub for Innovations in ANs. Dr. Korostenskaja is also working on the project of improving the motor function of upper extremity in patients post-stroke by using brain-computer interface (BCI) – one of the main types of Adaptive Neurotechnologies (ANs). Dr. Korostenskaja’s main goal is to establish the Adaptive Neurotechnology Clinic, where the latest innovations in the field of ANs will be utilized to improve patient’s diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life. ANs enable real-time interactions with the nervous system. The primary goals of ANs include facilitation of changes in neuroplasticity; enhancement, restoration or replacement of neuromuscular functions; evaluation, and localization of brain activity. Initially ANs have been developed for people with severe disabilities to improve their quality of life. The most recent developments of ANs include rapid functional brain mapping, virtual reality, and motor rehabilitation post- stroke. The field of ANs is a rapidly evolving. Dr. Korostenskaja will discuss necessary prerequisites to successfully perform both invasive and non-invasive AN studies. She will also discuss AN progress in the relevant clinical domains, including rehabilitation. Live demonstrations of novel AN approaches in clinical context will help attendees appreciate the innovative AN technology.

3. Nensi Murovec, PhD Student 

Researcher at Research and Therapy at g.tec medical engineering GmbH

Linz, Upper Austria, Austria

Graduate Student of Medical Sciences

Johannes Kepler University, Linz, Austria

Nensi Murovec is a Researcher at g.tec medical engineering GmbH (Linz, Austria), which develops brain-computer interface (BCI) systems used in hundreds of places all over the world. The main goals of g.tec are to introduce BCI technology in people’s everyday lives and make BCIs available for all who may need them. Together with the team at g.tec, Nensi is very active working on international collaborative research projects, providing and developing new technology within the following cutting-edge fields: 

• BCI for evaluation and testing of physical therapies in stroke rehabilitation;
• BCI for motor disabled people to get trained, interact with their living environments and join social networks;
• Rehabilitation of a discrete motor learning function by a prosthetic chip;
• Smart homes for all - use BCIs to control smart homes;
• Virtual embodiment and robotic re-embodiment - BCIs for avatar control.
• Adaptable ambient living assistant- MOBILE robot system that interacts with elderly users, monitors physiology and uses BCI for control;
• Deployment of BCI for the detection of consciousness in non-responsive patients.