Slashdot Mirror
Light Helps Injured Mice Walk Again
Mantrid42 writes "Researchers have been able to affect the brains of lab mice using light. Working in a new field called Optogenetics (optical stimulation plus genetic engineering), scientists injected lab mice with genes that can stimulate or inhibit neural activity based on the color of the light they're exposed to, and can be targeted to infect only on certain cell types. Additionally, another gene has been added to make neurons glow green when firing, allowing two-way communication between a brain and a machine."
Not to rain on the parade, but electrical activity does not correlate with "intelligence". Otherwise all epileptics would be super-gifted during their fits...
Seven puppies were harmed during the making of this post.