What are Neurochip Interfaces?
Neurochip interfaces are brain chips that monitor the ion channel activity which regulates neuron connections in the brain by exciting or inhibiting electrical activity. There are some people who are uncertain if the benefits of neurochip interfaces outweigh the risks. However, using this technology will aid in learning about neurodegenerative diseases that have not yet been researched. Neurochip interface technology is being developed out of silicon material and uses a patch-clamp technique. This structure will allow for adhesion and the growth of cells to take place on the neurochip interface. The chips were tested using the brain cells of rats, and the scientists at the Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center in Canada concluded that the surface functionalization was used to grow isolated cryopreserved neurons into a patterned network. They demonstrated the utility of such a procedure to control the growth of neurons on a surface conducive to the fabrication of neurochips to interrogate electrical activity. These scientists were able to adjust the number of neurons that grew, and the connections between the neurons on and off the chip. This technological advancement will enhance the study of synaptic plasticity by establishing simple defined networks where communication between the neurons can be controlled, studied, and applied to advance computational neuroscience.
Neurochip Interfaces: New Technology
With this technology, scientists plan on using it to study and monitor the neurons and the connections they have with each other. When they get this information, they plan on using it to aid in the advancement of neuroscience, not mind control. Although it is true that some transhumanist inventions are not as ethical as others, using neurochip interfaces as a way to learn how to prevent neurodegenerative diseases can be a good thing. This technological advancement is not trying to alter the human species, but rather is being used to learn about brain diseases that have never been be researched before due to the lack of technological advancement.
These neurochip interfaces can become even more efficient when scientists discover how to increase the types of ion channels and neuron connections to the chip itself. Collecting data from these chips will enhance the study of neuron adaption as well as studying the flexibility of neuron connections. In doing this, the brain chips can be used to scope out models of disease that are happening inside the brain. Having the ability to monitor the neuron connections in the brain will give scientists and doctors an understanding of what causes neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s and will give them the knowledge on how to prevent them. These neurochip interfaces should not be looked at as a step in a transhumanist direction, but rather a step in the direction of understanding the complexity of the brain and its inner workings.
These neurochip interfaces can become even more efficient when scientists discover how to increase the types of ion channels and neuron connections to the chip itself. Collecting data from these chips will enhance the study of neuron adaption as well as studying the flexibility of neuron connections. In doing this, the brain chips can be used to scope out models of disease that are happening inside the brain. Having the ability to monitor the neuron connections in the brain will give scientists and doctors an understanding of what causes neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s and will give them the knowledge on how to prevent them. These neurochip interfaces should not be looked at as a step in a transhumanist direction, but rather a step in the direction of understanding the complexity of the brain and its inner workings.
Who Will Benefit from Neurochip Interfaces?
The audience for the topic of neurochip interfaces and brain chips in general are people interested in transhumanism and the advancement of technology. Family members and friends of people suffering from Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases may be interested in this topic and how these neurochip interfaces are being created and used. Scientists and doctors may want to read up on the newest technology that they may come into contact with in the near future and be interested in doing more or different experiments with neurochip interfaces and brain chips to see how advanced they can get. These scientists can explore different ways to use this technology to learn about the brain and its inner workings.
USciences
WRT 102-06
Emily Bauer
WRT 102-06
Emily Bauer