Brain Implants Help Paralyzed Monkeys Get a Grip

sciencehabit writes "Spinal cord injuries cause paralysis because they sever crucial communication links between the brain and the muscles that move limbs. A new study with monkeys demonstrates a way to re-establish those connections. By implanting electrodes in a movement control center in the brain and wiring them up to electrodes attached to muscles in the arm, researchers restored movement to monkeys with a temporarily paralyzed hand. The work is the latest promising development in the burgeoning field of neuroprosthetics."

Comments

I propose

[busyqth]

I think it would be a more interesting experiment to implant electrodes in one person's brain and wire them up to electrodes in another person's arm.

Re:I propose

[Anonymous Coward]

I propose we investigate who would win in a fight between these monkeys and their cyborg brethren.

It may seem gratuitous, but think of how this could benefit all the disabled people who in the future will face the tough decision of whether to fight off the encroaching zombie hordes with a biological arm from the flesh vats, or with a prosthetic chainsaw.

Re:I propose

[Anonymous Coward]

I see busyqth's experiment was a success!

me is a monkye, i can cofirm it wroks

[Anonymous Coward]

geave bannana me

The researchers soon regretted their actions

[Algae_94]

The monkeys were immediately able to fling shit at them once they regained movement in their hands.

Only Works on Male Monkeys

[xstonedogx]

A pair of implants could inspire me to move my hands again too.

Re:Great news.

[rainmouse]

Does it work for politicians too? Most of them need to get a grip, and need a brain implant or transplant.

Considering it likely the doctors had to first paralyse a large quantity of monkeys, it would be nice if the experiment could be recreated using politicians.