One question that undergraduate students get asked often is: “Why did you choose your major?” As a cognitive and behavioral neuroscience major, my answer is usually as follows: neuroscience is an innovative field that is always advancing and changing. One such recent advancement is a technology called brain computer interface (BCI). BCI is “a system that measures central nervous system (CNS) activity and converts it into artificial output that replaces, restores, enhances, supplements, or improves natural CNS output and thereby changes the ongoing interactions between the CNS and its external or internal environment” (Leuthardt 2021). In layman’s terms, BCI is a chip implanted into the brain via electrodes into the cortex (although there are also non-invasive procedures). BCI is exciting to learn about because of its implications and various applications in healthcare, education, and even gaming.
The article "The brain-reading devices helping paralysed people to move, talk and touch" by Liam Drew, presented interesting information on the revolutionary studies about BCI and how it can aid those who are paralyzed. The studies described implanting grids of electrodes into the cortex, which would record when neurons fire. Computer algorithms are then able to decode thoughts and intentions. Through BCI, participants are able to operate computer applications, moving computer cursors with their thoughts. Participants think about moving their hands to move the cursor and think about grasping to click something. The studies have even progressed to moving prosthetic devices, some have been able to detect sensory feedback (Drew 2022).
The other article, "Elon Musk says Neuralink's brain chip will be 'similar in complexity level to smart watches," by Grace Kay describes the work of Elon Musk's company Neuralink. In Liam Drew's article, he mentioned that "Neuralink has not published any peer-reviewed papers" which I feel is important to keep in mind when reading about Neuralink. Elon Musk has said that the implant would be able to treat morbid obesity and that they would be conducting human trials by the end of the year (Kay 2022). This work is interesting and would greatly impact the treatment of individuals who are paralyzed; however, the work also poses a multitude of questions.
There are risks that come with invasive BCI procedures, “The three driving factors that influence an invasive BCI application are (1) clinical need, (2) clinical risk of the device, and (3) neurologic information necessary to support the BCI solution” (Leuthardt 2021). One scenario described in Leuthardt’s article, “Defining Surgical Terminology and Risk for Brain Computer Interface Technologies” is a low-risk, low need situation where someone wants a BCI for cosmetic or enhancement purposes. BCI as an enhancement is precisely what Neuralink would like to push as the future of BCI, as Musk compared it to a smart watch. In my opinion, BCI should only be treated as a medical device and for those who actually need it. If BCI is treated as only an enhancement or an expensive piece of technology, it will become inaccessible for those who are in dire need of it. Overall, BCI is a new technology that we will not know the future of, it will be exciting to see where it goes.
Works Cited
Drew, Liam. “The Brain-Reading Devices Helping Paralysed People to Move, Talk and Touch.” Nature News, Nature Publishing Group, 20 Apr. 2022, https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-01047-w.
Kay, Grace. “Elon Musk Says Neuralink's Brain Chip Will Be 'Similar in Complexity Level to Smart Watches'.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 25 Apr. 2022, https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-neuralink-brain-chip-similar-complexity-smartwatch-2022-4.
Leuthardt, Eric C., et al. “Defining Surgical Terminology and Risk for Brain Computer Interface Technologies.” Frontiers in Neuroscience, Frontiers Media, 26 Mar. 2021, https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2021.599549/full#h6.
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