The main concept behind the brain computer interface is to directly connect the human brain to a computer. This could speed greatly speed human to computer interaction. “It isn't [just] about convenience -- for severely disabled people, development of a brain-computer interface (BCI) could be the most important technological breakthrough in decades” (1)
“A brain–computer interface (BCI), sometimes called a direct neural interface or a brain–machine interface (BMI), is a direct communication pathway between the brain and an external device. BCIs are often aimed at assisting, augmenting, or repairing human cognitive or sensory-motor functions.” (2) This opens up countless possibilities in the future for modern technology. Some scientists even believe that one day computer chips will implanted directly inside the scull. One health issue with this type of technology is when a foreign object is placed in the scull scar tissue begins to form and it becomes difficult for the chip to read the neuron transitions. (2)
“Stephen Berry and colleagues from the Miami (Ohio) University Department of Psychology and Center for Neuroscience showed when older rabbits were trained in classical eyeblink conditioning -- a common task used by neuroscientists studying memory -- age-related learning impairments were eliminated.” (3) This opens the possibility to future research and possibly even a cure for Alzheimer. Age related disease continue to be a problem for society. These problems will only increase over time as the expected life span of a human continues to increase. The brain computer interface has the potential to be game changing technology in the years and decades to come. I look forward to seeing the additional advance of these types of technology in the years to come.
1. http://computer.howstuffworks.com/brain-computer-interface1.htm
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain%E2%80%93computer_interface
3. http://www.physorg.com/news6265.html
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