Anyone familiar with OCZ's Neural Impulse Actuator?

Raizy

Mainly, I'm only curious about the nifty device's function for reading "brain waves" shown at 5:00 in this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClCEj0wMmZc


It only cost like 120 bucks. What do you folks think? Are there any neuroscientists on here that know if the readings are accurate enough for amateur analysis on one's self? The only serious thing I can worry about is some kind of failure which might send amperes through my brain... something along those lines. I read a guide on the web somewhere on how to make your own EEG device and it said something about a specific part of the gizmo would require plenty of care and understanding to properly construct it, or you'll receive this serious risk if a failure occurs (something about sending amperes through your brain). It also turned out that even this ghetto home-made EEG would still cost a bunch of cash.

In my newb knowledge, EEG is mainly used for reading brain waves right? Well now I'm boggled as to how a company can sell a device that can do the same thing for less than 1% of the original cost, and have managed to put it on the market since it is "safe".

MATLABdude

I'd doubt that you can use it for anything other than rudimentary control. Here's a review, along with a link to a white paper (by OCZ) on the NIA:
http://techreport.com/articles.x/14957

There's nothing inherently dangerous about a (properly designed) EEG--the danger is when power electronics get confused / aren't properly isolated from the circuitry used to take readings from your brain. The reason they can sell something so cheap is that it's not a full-fledged EEG, nor does it need the resolution / accuracy / distribution of such a machine.