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Brain Implant Can Automatically Adjust Dopamine Levels (ieee.org)

Posted by msmash on from the to-a-better-future dept.

Reader Wave723 writes about an implantable chip that is able to detect and adjust dopamine levels in mice brains. Created by researchers at Case Western Reserve University, the chip, unlike other brain implants, traces the neurotransmitter instead of relying on electrical signals. Wave723 elaborates: This brain implant is a chip that can automatically sense dopamine levels through an electrode that measures the flow of the neurotransmitter through the brain and pH levels. An algorithm within the device calculates whether dopamine levels are within a predetermined range, and if not, the chip sends an electrical impulse to stimulate neurons to produce more. Someday, it might help patients with a variety of disorders including addiction, or Parkinson's disease though a lot more research is needed to be done on neurotransmitter levels in order to reach that point.

7 of 35 comments (clear)

  1. Syndicate / Satellite Reign by NoImNotNineVolt · · Score: 2

    I'm familiar with this plot line, and it doesn't end well for humanity.

    --
    Chuuch. Preach. Tabernacle.
    1. Re:Syndicate / Satellite Reign by OpenSourced · · Score: 2

      Yes, I was going to say the same. That's one step closer to the wireheads distopya.

      --
      Rome taught me patience and assiduous application to detail. Virtues which temper the boldness of great, general views.
  2. eCrack by avandesande · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Hacks for your mandatory implant

    --
    love is just extroverted narcissism
  3. Louis Wu by nospam007 · · Score: 2

    ...and the other wireheads are waiting for it.

  4. Well... by Etherwalk · · Score: 2

    Being able to intelligently remodel the risk-reward path could be the biggest step forward for humanity since the development of antibiotics. We're not there yet, but this is a big step.

    Also creepy, though. Tie it to an external trigger and you could use it to reward allegiance to a particular political party, or to the state, or to betraying the state, or to almost anything.

  5. I should ... by PPH · · Score: 2

    ... point out the obvious problems with this. But I feel strangely at ease with the whole concept.

    --
    Have gnu, will travel.
  6. Yup. Real mind control. by TheNarrator · · Score: 2

    I hate to break it to you guys, but this kind of thing is real mind control, and we'll even like it. Brain chemistry IS literally reality. It's where the rubber hits the road. We'll put these implants in people and ask them if they are happy with the chip and they'll say they are if the chip generates dopamine for them.

    I can see a future where we put people in solitary confinement in a box that they can't stand up in and as long as they get the dopamine from their chip they'll prefer it there vs anywhere else. We'll even call it humane.