Thursday, May 01, 2014

Brain implant could restore MEMORIES in wounded soldiers and Alzheimer's sufferers - but is it ethical?

Brain implant could restore MEMORIES in wounded soldiers and Alzheimer's sufferers - but is it ethical?

  • The brain implant plans were first unveiled in February by U.S researchers
  • They are being developed by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency 
  • Project was set up to restore memories in people with brain damage
  • This includes wounded soldiers plus Alzheimer's and dementia patients
  • Exact details are still being developed but it would build on memory studies carried out on monkeys and rats 
  • But critics have said manipulating memories is ethically wrong

Aside from the physical impacts brain damage has on the body, the loss of memory can be as devastating and restrictive.
The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is working on restoring these memories using brain implants that could reverse the loss in wounded soldiers, and benefit Alzheimer's and dementia patients. 
Although the exact science behind the plans won't be announced 'for a few months', a medical ethicist has expressed concerns the technology could interfere with a patient's personality and even their conscience.
The U.S Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has revealed more details about its memory stimulator. Its implants will be used to restore memories in wounded soldiers, as well as Alzheimer's sufferers, and could involve stimulating the hippocampus, highlighted, the part of the brain involved in processing memories
The U.S Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has revealed more details about its memory stimulator. Its implants will be used to restore memories in wounded soldiers, as well as Alzheimer's sufferers, and could involve stimulating the hippocampus, highlighted, the part of the brain involved in processing memories

HOW COULD THE IMPLANTS WORK?

As part of the project, DARPA hopes to build on neuroengineering advances such as implants already used to treat Parkinson's disease.
It will also draw on the work carried out on monkeys and rodents by Wake Forest University.
Studies have proved neurons in the hippocampus - the part of the brain that processes memory - fire differently when animals see different colours, for example.
Using prosthetics designed to stimulate the hippocampus, researchers were able to extend the short-term, working memory of these animals.
But to restore a human's specific memory, scientists would need to know the precise pattern for that memory.
Alternatively, they could restore the brain to work in a way it used to before the injury or damage was caused.

The brain implant plans were first unveiled in February by U.S researchers seeking contributions from relevant drug and technology companies. 

    During a conference at Center for Brain Health at the University of Texas at Dallas this week, project manager Justin Sanchez said: 'If you have been injured in the line of duty and you can't remember your family, we want to be able to restore those kinds of functions.

    'We think that we can develop neuroprosthetic devices that can directly interface with the hippocampus, and can restore the first type of memories we are looking at, the declarative memories.'
    But medical ethicist Arthur Caplan said: 'When you fool around with the brain you are fooling around with personal identity.
    'If I could take a pill or put a helmet on and have some memories wiped out, maybe I don't have to live with the consequences of what I do.'

    As part of the project, DARPA hopes to build on neuroengineering advances such as implants already used to treat Parkinson's disease, built by Minneapolis firm Medtronic. 
    First Lieutenant Jay Park is pictured undergoing cognitive testing at the Fort Campbell Army Base in Kentucky. It's estimated more than 280,000 soldiers have some form of brain injury. The DARPA project is a section of President Obama's BRAIN initiative, created to fund research to treat common brain disorders
    First Lieutenant Jay Park is pictured undergoing cognitive testing at the Fort Campbell Army Base in Kentucky. It's estimated more than 280,000 soldiers have some form of brain injury. The DARPA project is a section of President Obama's BRAIN initiative, created to fund research to treat common brain disorders
    Brainwaves are pictured on a computer screen. DARPA hopes to develop a device that is portable and wireless and that 'must incorporate implantable probes' which will both record and stimulate brain activity
    Brainwaves are pictured on a computer screen. DARPA hopes to develop a device that is portable and wireless and that 'must incorporate implantable probes' which will both record and stimulate brain activity

    Medtronic's implant is already authorised for sale in the U.S. and similar devices manufactured by Minnesota's St. Jude Medical, and Boston Scientific in Massachusetts, are in the process of gaining approval.

    It will also draw on the work carried out on monkeys and rodents by Robert Hampson, an associate professor at Wake Forest University.
    DARPA hopes to build on neuroengineering advances such as implants already used to treat Parkinson's disease, including the Medtronic, pictured
    DARPA hopes to build on neuroengineering advances such as implants already used to treat Parkinson's disease, including the Medtronic, pictured
    He has proved neurons in the hippocampus - the part of the brain that processes memory - fire differently when animals see different colors  or pictures of food compared to faces. 

    Using prosthetics designed to stimulate the hippocampus, Hampson was able to extend the short-term, working memory of his subjects.

    But to restore a human's specific memory, Hampson said scientists would need to know the precise pattern for that memory.
    Alternatively, they could restore the brain to work in a way it used to before the injury or damage was caused to improve and develop their memory. 

    'The way human memory works is one of the great unsolved mysteries,' said Andres Lozano, chairman of neurosurgery at the University of Toronto. 

    'This has tremendous value from a basic science aspect. It may have huge implications for patients with disorders affecting memory, including those with dementia and Alzheimer's disease.'

    The DARPA project is a section of President Barack Obama's BRAIN initiative, created to fund research that could treat common brain disorders. 

    Eventually, DARPA hopes to develop a device that is portable and wireless and that 'must incorporate implantable probes' which will both record and stimulate brain activity.
    Sanchez confirmed more details about the plans will be announced 'in the next few months.'


    Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2617705/Brain-implant-restore-MEMORIES-wounded-soldiers-Alzheimers-sufferers-ethical.html#ixzz31qRa3m5Z
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