Nature:
An international team of researchers has developed a brain
implant that enables monkeys to examine virtual objects by
means of a virtual arm controlled by their brain, writes Susan
Young for
Nature. Miguel Nicolelis of Duke University and
coworkers inserted electrodes into the motor cortex and
somatosensory cortex brain regions of two monkeys. The monkeys
were trained to use only their brain to explore virtual objects
on a computer screen by moving a computer cursor or a virtual
image of an arm. The electrodes in the motor cortex recorded
the monkeys’ intentions to move and relayed that
information to the virtual world. As the virtual hand passed
over objects on the screen, electrical signals were fed into
the animal’s somatosensory cortex, which provided
“tactile” feedback. The researchers hope that their
technique could eventually help patients who are severely
paralyzed to achieve full-body mobility through the use of
robotic prosthetics.
