EEG-Based Brain–Computer Interfaces | IEEE EMBC 2026 Mini Symposium

EEG-BASED BRAIN–COMPUTER INTERFACES FOR COGNITIVE ASSESSMENT AND NEUROREHABILITATION

Tuesday, 28 July 2026 | 11:30–13:00
Mini-Symposium @ IEEE EMBC 2026
Toronto, Canada

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear leading international experts reveal how EEG-based brain–computer interfaces are transforming cognitive assessment, stroke rehabilitation, and personalized neurological care through the latest advances in neurotechnology, machine learning, and clinical neuroscience.

WORKSHOP INTRODUCTION

Electroencephalography (EEG)-based brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) are rapidly evolving from laboratory research into clinically meaningful tools for cognitive assessment, neurorehabilitation, and neurological monitoring. Advances in neural signal processing, machine learning, and neuroengineering now enable objective assessment of brain function while opening new possibilities for personalized therapies and restorative neurotechnologies.

This IEEE EMBC 2026 Mini-Symposium brings together internationally recognized researchers working at the forefront of EEG-based BCIs for clinical applications. The session highlights recent advances in both passive and active BCI paradigms and demonstrates how EEG can be used to objectively assess cognitive function, cortical excitability, and functional recovery with direct relevance for clinical screening, diagnosis, and rehabilitation.

By connecting fundamental neuroscience with translational engineering, the mini-symposium provides a comprehensive overview of how EEG-based BCIs are moving beyond proof-of-concept toward clinically meaningful applications. Participants will gain insight into the latest developments, current challenges, and future opportunities for deploying BCI systems in real-world healthcare environments.

Brain–Computer Interface Rehabilitation with TMS

Natalie Mrachacz-Kersting, Ph.D.
Professor, Laboratory for Brain–Computer Interfaces and Neurorehabilitation
University of Freiburg, Germany

Natalie Mrachacz-Kersting will present recent advances in combining brain–computer interfaces with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to promote motor recovery after neurological injury. The presentation focuses on the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying motor rehabilitation and how BCIs can facilitate functional recovery following stroke.

Harnessing Passive Brain–Computer Interfaces for Real-Time Cognitive Assessment and Clinical Screening

Tomasz M. Rutkowski, Ph.D.
Research Team Lead, Araya INc., Tokyo, Japan

Passive BCIs provide objective information about cognitive function without requiring active user interaction. This presentation discusses recent developments in EEG-based cognitive assessment, early detection of cognitive impairment, and the application of machine learning for clinical screening.

Advancing Neuromotor Rehabilitation Technology: Developing Novel Non-Invasive Strategies with EEG

James Tung, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, University of Waterloo, Canada

This presentation explores innovative EEG-based approaches for neuromotor rehabilitation, including advanced signal processing techniques, motor imagery, and wearable neurotechnology for improving rehabilitation outcomes and functional mobility.

Cortical Excitability During Brain–Computer Interface Stroke Treatment Predicts Functional State

Dr. Christoph Guger
Founder & CEO, g.tec medical engineering GmbH, Austria

Recent research has shown that cortical excitability measured during BCI-based stroke rehabilitation is closely associated with the functional state of stroke patients. This presentation discusses how neurophysiological biomarkers can be extracted during therapy and how these measures may support objective patient assessment, personalized rehabilitation strategies, and improved prediction of clinical outcomes.

Topics

The Mini-Symposium will cover:

Passive Brain–Computer Interfaces for cognitive assessment
Active Brain–Computer Interfaces for neurorehabilitation
EEG biomarkers for neurological disorders
Cortical excitability during stroke rehabilitation
Machine learning for neurophysiological signal analysis
Brain-state monitoring and objective clinical assessment
Translation of BCI technology into clinical practice
Future directions in EEG-based neurotechnology

Registration

The Mini-Symposium is part of the scientific program of IEEE EMBC 2026.
Conference participants can attend the session as part of their IEEE EMBC registration. Please refer to the official IEEE EMBC 2026 conference program for the latest schedule and venue information.

Why Attend?

This mini-symposium brings together internationally recognized experts from Europe, North America, and Asia to discuss the latest advances in EEG-based brain–computer interfaces for cognitive assessment and neurorehabilitation.

The presentations span the complete spectrum from passive BCIs for cognitive screening and neural biomarkers to active BCIs for motor rehabilitation and cortical excitability assessment. By combining fundamental neuroscience, machine learning, neuroengineering, and clinical translation, the session provides participants with a comprehensive overview of how EEG-based BCIs are becoming practical tools for real-world healthcare.

Whether you are a neuroscientist, biomedical engineer, neurologist, rehabilitation specialist, clinician, or graduate student, this session will provide valuable insights into one of the fastest-growing areas of neurotechnology.