6 replies to this topic

[manofsan]

Here's a cute one:

http://www.theregist...otubes_neurons/


Besides the possibility of carbon nanotubes being used to help those with neural/neurological impairments, what about the possibility of one extending our brain capacities using nanotubes?

Consider this other article:

http://www.trnmag.co...tic_051805.html

Could nanotubes one day provide a bridging point for our minds to expand beyond flesh and blood?
Comments?

[Mind]

When I interviewed Kevin Warwick earlier this year, he said that his nervous system adapted very easily to the electronic signals from the implants he was testing. It became a normal part of his sensory perception.

My view is that as long as the electronic components do not cause damage to surrounding tissue in the body r brain or do not provoke an immune reaction, then we will find it very easy to incorporate digital technology/cybernetic parts/sensors. Our brains are very adaptable.

[Mind]

Technologyreview article on the same topic

Researchers led by Edward Keefer at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center developed a simple method for coating electrodes with carbon nanotubes. The coated electrodes were better at recording neural activity than were bare electrodes when implanted in mice and in a monkey. Importantly, the coated electrodes provided less-noisy recordings than bare ones did. They also required less power to operate.

And the nanotubes enhanced the electrodes' ability to both record and stimulate neural activity more than any other coating previously reported. Today's neural prosthetics are good at sending electrical signals but not at receiving them, says Ravi Bellamkonda, director of the Neurological Biomaterials and Therapeutics group at Georgia Tech. Thus, the batteries in deep-brain stimulators--implanted devices used to treat Parkinson's--last only three years because the devices are constantly on. "You want to see if the neuron is quiet," says Bellamkonda. A feedback-enabled device that powered off when not needed could potentially use the same battery for a few more years.

[Mind]

Another advance in neuron-silicon interfacing.

Rotem thinks that this provides a useful model for real brain function. "The existence of a threshold level for activation plays a central role in neuronal computation," he says. In his logic gates and real brains alike, many neurons contribute to generate a signal strong enough to excite another group of neurons, he says.

Charles Stevens at the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California, is not so sure, pointing out that real brain "circuits" do not resemble logic gates.

But achieving reliable performance from lab-grown neurons is still impressive, he adds. "There is a sort of fascination with neural networks grown in culture, and this paper improves on the usual random networks," he says.

Rotem says that brain-cell logic circuits could serve as intermediaries between computers and the nervous system. "It's difficult to physically interface [neural prosthetics] with live neurons," he says.

Brain implants can allow the paralysed to control robot arms or learn to talk again, but suffer a drop-off in performance when scar tissue coats their electrodes. "An intermediate layer of in vitro neurons interfacing between man and machine could be advantageous," he says.

[Traclo]

Thanks Mind! I've noticed you've posted alot of news on advancements and research in different topics, and as I'm almost constantly on the search for stuff like this it's great to find it here. So thanks again!

[Luna]

I second Traclo.

[Ben]

When I interviewed Kevin Warwick earlier this year, he said that his nervous system adapted very easily to the electronic signals from the implants he was testing. It became a normal part of his sensory perception.

My view is that as long as the electronic components do not cause damage to surrounding tissue in the body r brain or do not provoke an immune reaction, then we will find it very easy to incorporate digital technology/cybernetic parts/sensors. Our brains are very adaptable.

Just watched that interview. Amazing. Reminds me again just why this place is so awesome.