> For now, the device has only been tested in rats.
Right, I'll be sure to check back in 10-15 years.
A new brain implant automatically detects and kills pain in real time
21–30 of 178 posts
Re: A new brain implant automatically detects and kills pain in real time
#22I always feel so confused by--and skeptical of--these kinds of brain implant technologies. It says: "The chip then automatically triggers a light beam to stimulate the region, activating neurons that can override pain signals." Isn't that potentially stimulating millions or even hundreds of millions of neurons? We don't know what each individual neuron is doing. How is it possible to do this without causing bizarre m…
It sounds like they depend on the smoke test, doesn't it? Despite the huge advancements in biological sciences, when I get interested in something and read about it I would encounter the "We don't know why exactly it works but it works" much more often than I am used to. It feels so wrong.
Life follows a simple set of rules with an extensive set of exceptions.
Re: A new brain implant automatically detects and kills pain in real time
#23I always feel so confused by--and skeptical of--these kinds of brain implant technologies. It says: "The chip then automatically triggers a light beam to stimulate the region, activating neurons that can override pain signals." Isn't that potentially stimulating millions or even hundreds of millions of neurons? We don't know what each individual neuron is doing. How is it possible to do this without causing bizarre m…
Don't have access to the PDF but they might be using https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optogenetics
This requires genetically engineered mice, which is why they only have this working for mice?
Re: A new brain implant automatically detects and kills pain in real time
#24Reminds me of The Terminal Man
Reminded me of Darkman, personally.
Re: A new brain implant automatically detects and kills pain in real time
#25I always feel so confused by--and skeptical of--these kinds of brain implant technologies. It says: "The chip then automatically triggers a light beam to stimulate the region, activating neurons that can override pain signals." Isn't that potentially stimulating millions or even hundreds of millions of neurons? We don't know what each individual neuron is doing. How is it possible to do this without causing bizarre m…
The brain is far more robust than often assumed. Read up on Anatoli Bugorski for example. He had rather significant brain damage yet there was virtually no damage to his intellectual capacity. He did suffer from seizures after the accident, but that’s about it.
These kinds of implants have serious risks including infections etc, but for people with long term chronic pain there are few options.
Re: A new brain implant automatically detects and kills pain in real time
#26I wonder how healthy this actually is. Isn’t pain a signal the brain uses to alert you about a detected problem? Just eliminating the sensation of pain could mean your body would be unable to signal an issue that needs to be resolved.
This is why leprosy is terrible. No pain sensation when body is damaged even by the patient, themselves.
Re: A new brain implant automatically detects and kills pain in real time
#27I wonder how healthy this actually is. Isn’t pain a signal the brain uses to alert you about a detected problem? Just eliminating the sensation of pain could mean your body would be unable to signal an issue that needs to be resolved.
Complete elimination of pain is probably not a good idea, for sure.
But the ability to actively shut off pain once you've acknowledged the problem, or at least numb it down to it not being completely debilitating, could be useful.
Re: A new brain implant automatically detects and kills pain in real time
#28If we're not in pain, we're not alive.
Re: A new brain implant automatically detects and kills pain in real time
#29I always feel so confused by--and skeptical of--these kinds of brain implant technologies. It says: "The chip then automatically triggers a light beam to stimulate the region, activating neurons that can override pain signals." Isn't that potentially stimulating millions or even hundreds of millions of neurons? We don't know what each individual neuron is doing. How is it possible to do this without causing bizarre m…
Humans are capable of building nano-lasers in the lab as of 2009: https://www.technologyreview.com/2009/08/17/210962/the-small...
Re: A new brain implant automatically detects and kills pain in real time
#30There is a neural disorder where people can't feel pain, and it's hell. You live your life wrapped in protective gear.