Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling a device based on the detection of transient oscillatory or pseudo-oscillatory bursts are disclosed. For example, a method can comprise detecting one or more transient oscillatory or pseudo-oscillatory bursts from an ongoing neural signal recording of a subject. The method can also comprise extracting one or more burst features from the one or more transient oscillatory or pseudo-oscillatory bursts detected within a detection period. The method can also comprise predicting a thought generated or conjured by the subject or a change in mental state evoked by the subject by applying at least one of a machine learning algorithm and a feature threshold to the one or more burst features extracted within the detection period. An input command associated with the prediction can be transmitted to the device in order to control the device.