Scientists Couple Nerve Tissues With Computer Chip

patiwat writes "Recalling Ghost in the Shell, scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry in Martinsried have coupled living brain tissue to a semiconductor chip. This technique involves culturing razor-thin slices of the hippocampus region on the chip, enabling them to record neural communication between thousands of nerve cells in the brain tissue slice. The hippocampus is associated with temporary storage of memory. Employing the new technique, the scientists working under the direction of Peter Fromherz were able to visualize the influence of pharmaceutical compounds on the neural network, making the 'brainchip' an exciting test bed for neuropharmaceutical research, with potential for further development in neurochip prosthetics and neurocomputation. The researchers reported this news in the online edition of the Journal of Neurophysiology (May 10, 2006)."

Comments

Re:Repair my brain?

[suv4x4]

I know you're trying to be funny, but the first thoughts that come to my mind when I saw this were:

1. This means at some point we'll be able to control electronics with our brain.
2. This means at some point electronics will be able to control us.

I/O is a funny thing like that. Who is telling who what to do?

Don't forget the 3 barriers for spyware neurosoftware:

- Turn on your neurofirewall
- Have your anti-neurovirus resident protection on (makes you think three times slower, but you're at least safe)
- Always keep the cyber-implants up to date with Automatic Updates on to protect from exploits floating in the wi-max connection around you

- and always#@f...po4j...0sok .... just a moment I have to reboot, something weird going on

- Oh, yes. Don't forget to vote for Bush Jr. Jr. on the upcoming elections.