Neuroscience & Neurology

Brain Prosthesis: Coming to a Hospital Near You?

June 02, 2008 | By Waynekid Kam | Share, Save, and Bookmark | 5 Comments

Neuroscience and Neurology CategoryThe possibility of fusing a mechanical device with the human brain becomes a reality.

Ladies and gentleman, I would like to introduce you to a new piece of technology. Lo and behold, the brain prosthesis. Wait. Did I just say brain prosthesis, as in an artificial replacement of the mind? Yes, that’s right; the brain prosthesis is going to be used to replace the damaged parts of our brain.

Hundreds of individuals who have lost their body parts due to traumatic injuries or congenital defects have already chosen to get artificial replacements. To elaborate, a patient may want to get a synthetic limb because of a missing arm or an ocular prosthesis because of a damaged eye. However, never would we ever consider replacing a damaged brain. But according to scientists at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, a silicon chip could be used to replace the hippocampus, part of the forebrain involved in forming memories. This may provide great hope for people who have suffered from stroke and epilepsy or for those currently battling Alzheimer’s disease. That’s wonderful news.

MRICurrently, Dr. Theodore Berger and his team of colleagues at the university are testing their prosthetic device on a live rat. Their preliminary data showed positive results. They have created a device, successfully mimicking the activity of biological signals in the hippocampal circuit. According to mathematical models, this microchip, incorporated in the brain tissue, matched perfectly with an intact brain slice without the chip. Thus, the researchers’ next step is to use and study animal models.

Could this possibly work? I’m optimistic. Though, it may very well come with complications, both ethically and biologically. First and foremost, our bodies could reject this foreign object. Secondly, ethicists will certainly raise valid arguments over the procedure that will tamper with the patients’ identities. Most importantly, the role of the human brain is intricate. It is where we interpret our conscious thoughts and emotions. But at a time where accidents and diseases will inevitably rob our memories, sometimes we need these recollections that shape who we are. Hence, research in this field, combining neuroscience and technology, should continue.

Nevertheless, I wonder how many people out there would want this procedure if it does work and if it is going to be given a green light. If drugs can’t fully work, maybe biomedical engineering can help revolutionize medicine. Perhaps scientists can replace other parts of the brain. A scary thought. I’m also curious to know if the current prosthesis would really help a victim of Alzheimer’s disease, because there will still be the presence of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. I guess we’ll have to stay tuned.

Reference

Philips, H. (2008) Brain prosthesis passes live tissue test. NewScientist.

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5 Comments

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Las Vegas Hospital
June 03, 2008 | Permalink

I watched this whole demonstration on Good Morning America and it was pretty impressive. They did the whole presentation with a monkey but there were problems that came with this and it was the longevity of the items. It was stated that the limbs may last a few weeks to some months because the scar tissue would heal over the electrodes and the limbs will become inoperable.

Scott Becker
June 05, 2008 | Permalink

After watching my wife die at 39 years old due to a stroke followed by a coma I can’t help but think of the possibilities. At the time ( 2001 ) I was so wishing that they could do a brain transplant just like they do a heart transplant. Of course this is not possible, but maybe in a generation to come this option will be available - VERY ENCOURAGING

Vandana
June 09, 2008 | Permalink

Its a very interesting and exciting invention to talk off, but the way the human body works and reacts is still a big dilema and humans derive the understandings on the basis of sampling research results.

I would really wish the technology to work, as this way a huge number of people in terminating stages of life shall be able to take a fresh breath of life.

The more difficult comprehension is will the chip be able to encapsulate all the functionalities of brain, taking over from the short term and long term memory banks and working on the same potential as before. It would need a lot more research in this direction.

mc2min
September 21, 2008 | Permalink

in the past, i think about “USB BRAIN” one day i studied english examine there read TED BERGENT the report. i startled because i think the same think. i expect to every people is without sudy and special explation and academical discrimination. able to equal i hop that i participate in the study

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Thursday, January 8, 2009

Brain Blogger's Historical Brain Illustrations

Charles Bell: Course of the Nerves - Neck and Thorax, c. 19th centuryBartolomeo Eustachi: Peripheral Nervous System, c. 1722Bartolomeo Eustachi: Brain and Spine Anatomy, c. 1722Ambroise Pare, Siamese twins illustrated, c. unknownHow to prepare the skull for surgery, brain unexposed, c. 16th centuryHow to prepare the skull for surgery, brain exposed, c. 16th centuryThomas Bartholin: Transected Head Anatomy, c. 1673Antonio Scarpa: Anatomy of Olfaction (Smell), c. 1779Charles Bell: Anatomy of the Brain, c. 1802

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