Harvard scientists have created an interface that allows humans to move a rat's tail just by thinking about it.

We're not quite at the stage where we can communicate brain to brain with our fellow humans quite yet — but we may be on our way to communicating with other animals. Or at least controlling them, thanks to a new, non-invasive interface developed by scientists at Harvard Medical School.

A team led by assistant professor of radiology Seung-Schik Yoo has created a brain-to-brain interface (BBI) that allows a human controller to move a portion of a rat's body just by thinking about it — all without invasive surgical implants.

Brain-to-computer interfaces (BCI) are becoming more common; that is, an interface that allows a human to control a computer or gadget with thought using electroencephalography (EEG). A bi-directional interface — one that allows communication from the computer back into the brain — is a little trickier; without applying some sort of physical stimulation, it's impossible for a computer to force a brain to send out the signals that control limb movement, for example.

This is where focused ultrasound (FUS) comes in. This delivers focused acoustic energy to a specific point; it's usually used to heat and destroy diseased or damaged tissue, such as tumours, in hard-to-reach places, such as the deeper regions of the brain. Yoo's team, however, has found that a lower-intensity blast can be used to stimulate brain tissue without damaging it.

So here's how it works. The human controller is hooked up to an EEG-based BCI, while the rat is hooked up to an FUS-based computer-to-brain interface (CBI). The process starts with Steady State Visually Evoked Potentials — the human views an image of a circle flashing in a specific pattern. This generates electrical brain activity in the same frequency. When this activity is detected by the BCI, it sends a command to the CBI, which in turn sends FUS into the region of the rat's brain that controls its tail, causing it to move.

Using six different human subjects and six different rat subjects, the team achieved a success rate of 94 per cent, with a time delay of 1.59 ± 1.07 seconds between user intention and the rat's response.

This isn't the first time that brain-to-brain communication has been successfully achieved with rats. Earlier this year, Miguel Nicolelis at the Duke University Medical Center developed a BBI that allowed rats to transmit their thoughts to each other. http://www.cnet.com.au/scientists-give-rats-brain-to-brain-communication-339343529.htm

What could you do with a mind-controlled animal? Well, our first thought was little monkey butlers, but, on a more practical level, they could be used for environmental surveillance and search and rescue. It's still very early days yet, though. We hope that's enough time to iron out the ethical concerns.

You can read the entire study, "Non-Invasive Brain-to-Brain Interface (BBI): Establishing Functional Links between Two Brains" on http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0060410


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaJjHgyHnEc

http://m.cnet.com.au/control-a-rat-with-your-mind-339345047.htm?redir=1

Hmm.
Reminds me of that series - 'fringe'.....and Matt Parkman in 'Heroes'.


How're you, Ciphoenix? Been a while.

Brown sugar I've been good, extremely busy too. You?

Hmmm. Okay oooo.

Yo! Booked

Baba God, God bless you God

that's for a start, really nice. till when its improved so I can control GEJ's

Na only the tail go move Why not the whole body so you can pursue all the rats from your house

The rate at which technology is going is quite breathtaking. Impossibilities are becoming yesterday's technology.

Promhize: Baba God, God bless you God

Impressive science but i'm sure the ethical trumpeters wont let it see the light of day

Promhize: Baba God, God bless you God

intresting...though i'ld prefer to control banks ATM wiv my mind.





Nd maybe control some specific leaders' minds in Nigeria to do d common man's wish.

Now,dis is crazy

pied piper na dem baba

.

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I need the one wey i go fit use control girl..o boy see groove

mkmyers45: Impressive science but i'm sure the ethical trumpeters wont let it see the light of day

True. They're at ease now because procedure isn't invasive yet

good evening

And you guys are here talking igbo and yoruba tribal nonsense while others outside are busy working. Shame on you guys.

Baybe: Na only the tail go move Why not the whole body so you can pursue all the rats from your house

They'll get there

Prof. Xavier

I'd get a pet Lion as soon as the experimentation reaches its final stage.

While all these tech. advances are going on Nigerians were busy celebrating their biggest invention... Cassava bread

Can u imagine !

ciphoenix:

True. They're at ease now because procedure isn't invasive yet

Indeed...but by and large maintaining proper and well monitored conducts guiding experiments and science is good but at times too it seems to limit science

story. . .i'll be glad to c a human controling an animal without any wire connection. . . .hw diz development wan take help pesing during emergency. . .lets say i dey bush. .lion com sight me..d lion go w8 make pesin connect wire near im brain??

Lemme b00k space..b4 i read d p0st..

opin aiye ti de. sign of end time

Ok, still lightyears away from reality.