Mental Health Information

HereSince1628

(36,063 posts) Tue Apr 9, 2013, 02:20 PM Apr 2013

Homo-Rattus mind meld? Brain interface allows man to think sleeping rat into moving its tail

http://science.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/09/17673038-with-just-his-mind-man-wiggles-rats-tail?lite

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In February, scientists revealed they linked together the brains of two rats. This first known instance of a brain-to-brain interface apparently helped the rodents share data to accomplish certain tasks, even across intercontinental distances. However, this advance depended on microscopic electrodes implanted in the rats' heads.
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In the latest example of a mind-meld, researchers employed noninvasive techniques to link the brains of a human and a rat. The man had electrodes stuck onto his scalp that picked up brain-wave activity. The rat was placed in a machine that focused ultrasound pulses through its skull to its brain, and was anesthetized so that it would not wriggle its head during the experiment.

The volunteer had a video screen placed in front of him that displayed a flickering pattern of light. If he paid attention to the screen, his brain waves would synchronize with the strobe light. If he looked away, or even if he looked at it while thinking of something else, his brain waves would not synchronize with the light flickers.

When the man focused on the flickering pattern, that action signaled the ultrasound to stimulate the part of the sleeping rat's brain responsible for moving its body. In response, the rodent flicked its tail. The interface was accurate 94 percent of the time, with a time delay of only about 1.6 seconds from the moment the man initiated his intent to the rat tail's wiggling. [Video - Watch Man Wiggle Rat's Tail With His Mind Only]