Center for Information and Neural Networks

My research focuses on the brain machine interfaces (BMIs). With this technique, the “thought” of a man can be translated into action. The brain signals obtained with intracranial electrodes are decoded in real-time in order to control robots or computers only by thinking, without using his/her own motor system. Our goal is the clinical application of BMI which support the communication and movements of people with severe motor disabilities such as with tetraplegia or locked-in syndrome.

Ikeda T, Hirata M, Kasaki M, et al (2017) Subthalamic nucleus detects unnatural android movement. Sci Rep 7:17851

Hashimoto H, Hasegawa Y, Araki T, et al (2017) Non-invasive detection of language-related prefrontal high gamma band activity with beamforming MEG. Sci Rep 7:14262

Yoshida F, Hirata M, Onodera A, et al (2017) Noninvasive spatiotemporal imaging of neural transmission in the subcortical visual pathway. Sci Rep 7(1):4424

Sugata H, Hirata M, Tamura Y, et al (2017) Frequency-dependent oscillatory neural profiles during imitation. Sci Rep 7:45806

Araki T, Hirata M, Yanagisawa T, et al (2016) Language-related cerebral oscillatory changes are influenced equally by genetic and environmental factors. Neuroimage 142:241–247

Sugata H, Hirata M, Yanagisawa T, et al (2016) Common neural correlates of real and imagined movements contributing to the performance of brain–machine interfaces. Sci Rep 6: 24663

Shayne M, Hirata M, Sugata H, et al (2015) Patient specific cortical electrodes for sulcal and gyral implantation. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 62(4):1034-41

Yanagisawa T, Hirata M, Saitoh Y, et al (2012) Electrocorticographic control of a prosthetic arm in paralyzed patients. Ann Neurol 71:353-361.

Hirata M, Matsushita K, Suzuki T, et al (2011) A fully-implantable wireless system for human brain-machine interfaces using brain surface electrodes: W-HERBS. IEICE Trans Commun E94-B:2448-2453.

<Academic appointments>
・Sept. 2003-Sept.2009
Assistant professor, Division of Functional Diagnostic Science, Osaka University Graduate School of 　 Medicine
・Oct, 2009-Mar, 2016
Associate professor, Department of Neurosurgery, Osaka University Medical School
・April, 2016 -
Endowed Division Professor, Endowed Division of Clinical Neuroengineering, Global Center for Medical Engineering and Information, Osaka University

<Academic contribution>
・Vice-president, President-elect
International Society for the Advancement of Clinical Magnetoencephalography (ISACM)
・Member of the Executive Committee
Japanese Society for Medical and Biological Engineering
・Member of the Executive Committee
Japan Biomagnetism and Bioelectromagnetics Society
・Councilor of Neurosurgical BMI Forum

<Certification>
2000 Certification of a Neurosurgeon from The Japan Neurosurgical Society
2004 Certification of a Neuroendovascular Surgeon from The Japanese Society for Neuroendovascular Treatment
2006 Certification of a Clinical Neurophysiologist from Japanese Society of Clinical Neurophysiology
2015 Certification of a Clinical Epileptologist from Japan Epilepsy Society

<Awards>
2012     Mimics Innovation Awards 2012
2013     Osaka University 2nd Presidential Awards for Achievement
2014     Osaka University 3rd Presidential Awards for Achievement

We published the following books.
http://www.springer.com/us/book/9784431557289
http://www.springer.com/us/book/9784431557289

Researcher
・Toshiki Yoshimine
・Noriaki Hattori
・Seiji Kameda
・Hiroki Hamanaka
・Takufumi Yanagisawa
・Palmer Jason Allan
・Abdelkader N Belkacem
・Masahito Inoue
・Masamichi Hayashi
・Hiroaki Hashimoto
・Yosuke Fujimoto
・Xin He
・Namheon Kim
・Masahito Mihara
・Fumiaki Yoshida
・Takashi Moriwaki
・Yuka Omura
・Kanae Kusakabe
・Takuma Asano

Assistant
・Izumi Kawaguchi
・Yoshiko Takeuchi
・Kumiko Fukunaga
・Megumi Nagao