Roving brain electrodes reverse paralysis in monkeys

[Indenturedebtor]

A brain implant with mobile electrodes that can seek out and connect to individual neurons in the brain has enabled monkeys to regain control of a paralysed wrist.

The inventors of the implant say it could help people paralysed by spinal injuries to regain control of their limbs, or control robotic limbs.

The implant exploits the fact that even when the neural connection between a brain region and the muscles it controls is severed or damaged by, say, a stroke or spinal injury, the controlling neurons remain active.

For example, people living with quadriplegia who try to move their arm still generate arm-movement signals in the motor cortex of their brain, even after several years of paralysis.

http://technology.newscientist.com/article/dn14948-roving-brain-electrodes-reverse-paralysis-in-monkeys.html?DCMP=ILC-hmts&nsref=news6_head_dn14948

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WHOA!!!!!!! Now that is some impressive ish. Please do read the whole article. It's amazing that they were able to create a device that could hone in on individual neuronal signals AND avoid damaging other neurons! Fucking AMAZING!

Matrix here we come baby!

[BrklynLiberal]

1. Sad that Christopher Reeve is not still around to benefit from this...

[Indenturedebtor]

3. True that. But his intergalactic glob of cosmic mojoplasm is smiling :D n/t

[Poll_Blind]

2. Mark my words: Reverse paralysis in monkeys and their drunk-driving rates will SOAR!

PB

[Indenturedebtor]

4. Lol n/t