Ed Boyden: A light switch for neurons

Controlling the brain with light

This TED talk by Ed Boyden really amazed and shocked me at the same time.
The idea of controlling the brain with light in a very precise and controlled way sounds like science fiction, but it seems to be way more real than I expected.

"Ed Boyden shows how, by inserting genes for light-sensitive proteins into brain cells, he can selectively activate or de-activate specific neurons with fiber-optic implants. With this unprecedented level of control, he's managed to cure mice of analogs of PTSD and certain forms of blindness. On the horizon: neural prosthetics."

Amazing stuff that could lead to curing braindisorders. But also disturbing, becuase who will control these direct mind controls?
Could do with a back-up of my own brain though =]



Keywords: science, ted

Permalink | Comments (0)