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Connecting minds and machines: an interview with Miguel Nicolelis on brain–machine interfaces

Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Brain–machine interfaces (BMIs) are a groundbreaking innovation in neuroscience and biomedical engineering, facilitating direct communication between the neural activities of the brain and external devices. These interfaces have the potential to fundamentally transform rehabilitation methods, assistive technologies, and cognitive enhancement. By enabling large-scale recordings of neural populations, researchers can decode how groups of neurons function together, utilizing this information to control devices such as prosthetic limbs and robotic arms. This interview highlights the pioneering research of Dr. Miguel Nicolelis, who has made substantial contributions to understanding how the brains of freely behaving animals encode sensory and motor information. His use of chronic, multisite, multi-electrode recordings allows for real-time control of neuroprosthetic devices through neural signals, emphasizing the transformative potential of BMIs in improving the quality of life for individuals with motor disabilities. Dr. Miguel Nicolelis, M.D., Ph.D., is the Emeritus Professor of Neuroscience at Duke University, with expertise spanning neurobiology, biomedical engineering, and psychology and neuroscience. As the founder of Duke’s Center for Neuroengineering and the Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute for Neuroscience of Natal, Dr. Nicolelis has dedicated his career to exploring how the brain encodes sensory and motor information in freely moving animals. In this interview, Dr. Nicolelis shares his insights into the future of BMIs, emphasizing the importance of understanding brain dynamics to advance both fundamental neuroscience and clinical applications.
DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwag273
Author: Yiwen Wang
Language: English
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,000
OpenAlex ID: W7160886670
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