The memory fix

• Autores: Sally Adee
• Localización: New scientist, ISSN 0262-4079, Nº. 2972, 2014, págs. 32-37
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Adee details why implants that bridge damaged parts of the brain are no longer a distant dream. For a lot of people with memory loss, damaged parts of the brain are failing to pass information from one area to another. If they could create electronics that interpret the signals from one area, circumvent the damaged parts, and write them into the second area, they could help people regain the ability to form new memories, or even gain access to precious old ones. Such a chip would act as a kind of brain bypass. The technology--known as brain-machine interfaces--has restored hearing and sight in the form of cochlear and retinal implants. It has also helped people control prosthetic limbs: one robotic arm, connected to the motor cortex, has such sensitivity that amputees can hold a cup of coffee, pick individual grapes and even play the guitar.