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.

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.

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.