s i n i m p e r m e a b l e

From magnetic resonance imaging to digital medical libraries, what are some of the most major milestones in the evolution of neurology and what does the future have in store for neuroscience? 

GIF via giphy.com

Can Neuroscientists Improve Our Minds?

Can neuroscientists improve our minds? Steve M. Potter working at Georgia Institute of Technology thinks that external stimulation of our brains can help to solve numerous problems.

“It could quell our aggression, allow us to appreciate all people, and help us devise new technology: for global distribution of food, water, and energy; for preventing diseases and accidents; for dealing with natural disasters; for seeing both sides of every disagreement,” he says.

In fact, thousands of patients suffering from various mental diseases are already assisted by so called Deep Brain Stimulation devices. These implants normalize working of malfunctioning areas with the help of electrical impulses. Although this technology is pretty primitive at the moment, technical improvements should allow to create more sensitive instruments, which will be able to adjust to individuals needs.

Impact of this technology on everyday life was neatly described by one of the patients of Belgian psychologist Paul Cosyns: “Well, Dr. Cosyns, when I’m at home doing my regular things, I’d prefer to have contact two, but if I’m going out for a party where I have to be on and, you know, I’m going to do a lot of socializing, I’d prefer contact four because it makes me revved up and more articulate and more creative.”

This technique is still in its infancy. But once it will be well developed, it can become useful not only for individuals having brain damages, but also for those, who want to increase their mental abilities.

Neural activities are usually altered using electric signals. However, different ways of regulation are available and advanced. Most promising developments are done in the field of optogenetics. Researchers are able to exert influence on neurons without direct surgical intervention.

“By splicing a gene from certain light-sensitive algae or bacteria into a neuron’s DNA, the neuron can be switched off and on at will, with light,” the scholar explains. This technique allows to target specific cell types. This is very important, because the brain is not a homogeneous, but rather heterogeneous system, which is constructed from different neurons doing various tasks.

“It is exciting to imagine these technologies making the transition from clinical treatments for diseased and disabled people, to enhancements for all of us. This is as inevitable as space travel was for Jules Verne,” Potter says.

Article: Potter, S. M., 2013, Better Minds: Cognitive Enhancement in the 21st Century. In D. Bulatov (Ed.), Evolution Haute Couture: Art and Science in the Post-biological age, Part 2 – Theory, pp. 304-319, Kalingrad: National Center for Contemporary Arts, source link.

I’m so thankful I had a childhood before technology took over

"We can’t know what future technologies will be, but we can lay the groundwork and spur our imaginations and get a head start in exploring these new worlds." INSIDE THE INVENTIVE MIND Christopher Lutz Scientist at IBM Research Making data storage with atoms

Harvard Business School researchers found that the poor posture engendered by smartphones and laptops weakens your will.