• Question: Can we replace damaged brain parts with computational devices?

    Asked by to James, Jennifer, Kim, Liam, Ricardo on 17 Jun 2014. This question was also asked by .
    • Photo: Ricardo Ramirez

      Ricardo Ramirez answered on 17 Jun 2014:

      Not with the understanding of the brain we have currently. I would think that movement-related functions would be easier to ‘replace’, as there are studies where people can selectively activate parts of their brain and that can be translated to movement. However, thinks like your memories and feelings wouldn’t be good candidates, as the more abstract an idea is the harder is to map it and to give it an equivalent.

    • Photo: Jennifer Stephens

      Jennifer Stephens answered on 25 Jun 2014:

      Hi mollieward
      Scientists in the U.S. have shown that they can put prosthesis (microchips) in rats to restore short term memory. This is definitely a step forward to being able to do the same in humans.

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