Steven+Yang

=Computer Brain Interface=

On Monday, the video mentioned how scientists were able to use computers to interface with animal brains and the ethics behind it. I decided to further research computer brain interfaces and cultured neuronal networks.


 * Ethical concerns include**
 * obtaining informed consent from people who have difficulty communicating,
 * risk/benefit analysis,
 * shared responsibility of BCI teams (e.g. how to ensure that responsible group decisions can be made),
 * the consequences of BCI technology for the quality of life of patients and their families,
 * side-effects (e.g. neurofeedback of sensorimotor rhythm training is reported to affect sleep quality),
 * personal responsibility and its possible constraints (e.g. who is responsible for erroneous actions with a neuroprosthesis),
 * issues concerning personality and personhood and its possible alteration,
 * therapeutic applications and their possible exceedance,
 * questions of research ethics that arise when progressing from animal experimentation to application in human subjects,
 * mind-reading and privacy,
 * mind-control,
 * selective enhancement and social stratification, and[[image:http://neurophilosophy.files.wordpress.com/2006/08/mea.jpg?w=448&h=336 align="right"]]
 * communication to the media.


 * Cultured Neuronal Networks**

Cultured neuronal networks are cell cultures of brain cells developed to study how the brain works in a closed environment. Neurons are grown in a dish often with electrodes to read electrical impulses as well as send signals. Some benefits of cultured neuronal networks includes the closed environment of the study. In addition, chemical analysis of the cells are easier than in a live animal. Some drawbacks of cultured neuronal networks include that because the cells are grown in an artificial environment, they may not reflect the systems in a real brain. In addition, without sensory inputs the cells can behave in abnormal ways. Last, because the cells are grown on a 2 dimensional plane on a dish, it does not accurately reflect the 3 dimensional connections in a real brain.

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In 2004 scientists attempting to study brain activity grew rat neurons in a special petri dish containing 60 electrodes. By using the electrodes to measure the currents produced by the neurons, the scientists were able to learn how nerve cells interact with each other. However, the scientists were also able to see how the neurons connected to form paths. With this information, they set out to make the brain learn to fly an F22 flight simulator. When the simulator would pitch downwards the electrodes would send a high frequency pulse and when the simulator would pitch too far upwards the electrodes would send a low frequency pulse. Overtime, the cells grew in a way such that it was able to fly a flight simulator that simulated poor weather conditions.

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Similarly in 2002, scientists were able to create a living remote controlled rat. By stimulating the neurons associated with whiskers, the scientists were able to make the rat turn. In addition, when the rat would follow their commands the electrodes would stimulate the reward pathway of the rat's brain. However, the scientists are not controlling the bodily functions of the rat directly. By using reward pathways, the scientists are training the rat to follow commands much like training a dog.

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**Brain Computer Interface in Humans**

There are several types of BCIs in humans. First, in invasive Brain computer interfaces, electrodes are implanted directly into the grey matter in the human's brain with neurosurgery. This has been done to restore damaged eyesight and restoring function to those with paralysis.

[|http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/06/13/earlyshow/health/main512160.shtm]l

In addition Partially invasive BCI are implanted inside the skull, but outside the brain. This procedure is safer and avoids the risk of scar tissue developing within the brain. Patients with paralysis and disabilities are able to control computers and robotic arms. Currently noninvasive BCIs can be easily worn however produce a poor signal that has limited use. An example of a noninvasive BCI is mindball. media type="youtube" key="3dJwvjq6eik" height="349" width="425"media type="youtube" key="TK1WBA9Xl3c" height="349" width="425"