Neuralink’s Look Into a Pig’s Brain Through a BCI
Imagine someone has a stroke and suffers from permanent paralysis. Their entire life drastically changes and will never be the same. They are unable to live the same lifestyle they once enjoyed. Wouldn’t anyone want to have a simple solution that will improve or repair their missing functions? Many companies are currently trying to create the device that will allow these patients to live a life that seems entirely normal despite the severe neurological diseases they suffer from.
This summer Neuralink released a new update that is taking a large step forward within BCIs. If you have not heard of Neuralink, they are a brain computer interface company who is creating devices that will help people with paralysis and new technologies that will expand the world’s abilities. While they have created many devices, they recently revealed their newest development, “the Link”. But first, what is a BCI and how does it work?
A Brain–computer interface (BCIs) is a device which measures brain activity.
BCIs detect brain signals, interpret them, classify specific activity, and convert them into commands that are delivered to ouput devices that improve or repair human functions. The device is limited to signals produced by the central nervous system (CNS). In simpler words, a voice-activated or muscle-activated communication system is not a BCI. However, do not forget that BCIs do not read minds. While many confuse it with deriving information from unwilling users, it actually enables users make decisions by using brain signals rather than muscles; the user works with the device, not used by it.
The main goal of these devices is to replace or enhance important functions to people with disabled by neuromuscular disorders. These can include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, cerebral palsy, stroke, or spinal cord injury. Researchers are using the brain signals in hope of gaining full control of cursors, robotic arms, prostheses, wheelchairs, and other devices. BCIs may prove to be useful for rehabilitations after strokes and other disorders. However, with all the benefits, Brain-computer interfaces require signal-acquisition hardware that is convenient, portable, safe, and the ability to function in corrosive environments. With the three types of BCIs, invasive, semi-invasive, and non-invasive, the Link replaces a piece of the skull, with a seamless scar on the top of the head.
The Link is the first neural chip that allows the user to control a device where ever they go.
Elon Musk, a founder of Neuralink, described his BCI as a “Fitbit in your skull with tiny wires”. The newest device uses micron-scale threads which are inserted into the the areas of the brain that control movement. Each thread contains more than 3,000 electrodes, a conductor through which electricity enters or leaves an object, and connects them to an implant. These electrodes can monitor up to 1,000 brain nueron’s activity. Using the classification of the activity, the company hopes to decode them and understand how the complex brain works.
Since Neuralink is not developed enough to test on humans yet, they recently revealed their newest improvement of the interface within a pig’s brain. Gertrude, a pig on which Neuralink tested their device on, had the device implanted where the electrodes were placed in the part of the cortex that connected to neurons in her snout. The interface is able to detect activity within the brain when the pig is eating and sniffing around. While reading the brain activity, the BCI was able to predict what neural activity would happen next. It is able to read the activity that occurs when the pig is using its shoulder, elbow, carpal, and trotter. The Link then compares what it predicted to what actually took place. As you can clearly see in the picture below, the comparison is fairly accurate.
Since last year, Neuralink has significantly simplified the interface. The device used to rest behind the ear, with many complex pieces. The user would look more like a robot than human. Instead, they reduced it to the size of a coin. The wires connect a few centimeters away from the device. When covered by the hair, the new BCI is unnoticeable; Musk describes how he “could have a Neuralink right now and you wouldn’t know”.
BCIs reaches in worlds with many achievements beyond the medical field.
- With the many neurological function improvements, BCIs will have the ability to completely change the video-gaming world. People will have the ability to control an avatar with just thinking about it. In fact, many companies like Neurosky, Emotiv, Uncle Milton, MindGames, and Mattel have already created EEG headsets. Surprisingly, gaming and entertainment may be the first field to mass produce BCIs.
- While the education and training field is more conceptual, BCIs could potentially create an effective way of measuring plasticity and changes in the brain; this information would allow for better automated teaching systems. Basically, a computer would adapt to the student’s understanding of a subject.
Key Points
- Brain-computer interfaces have the potential to repair damaged human functions
- Neuralink has come out with its newest working update on a pig
- BCIs are likely to be mass produced in non-medical fields first
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