( ochip records the activity of motor cor...)Electronic chip, interacting with the brain, modifies pathways for controlling movement

ochip records the activity of motor cortex cells," Fetz explained, "It can convert this activity into a stimulus that can be sent back to the brain, spinal cord, or muscle, and thereby set up an artificial connection that operates continuously during normal behavior. This recurrent brain-computer interface creates an artificial motor pathway that the brain may learn to use to compensate for impaired pathways."

Jackson found that, when the brain-computer interface continuously connects neighboring sites in the motor cortex, it produces long-lasting changes. Namely, the movements evoked from the recording site changed to resemble those evoked from the stimulation site.

The researchers said that a likely explanation for these changes is the strengthening of pathways within the cortex from the recording to the stimulation site. This strengthening may have been produced by the continuous synchronization of activity at the two sites, generated by the recurrent brain-computer interface.

Timing is critical for creating these connections, the researchers said. The conditioning effect occurs only if the delay between the recorded activity and the stimulation is brief enough. The changes are produced in a day of continuous conditioning with the recurrent brain-computer interface, but last for many days after the circuit is turned off.

"This unusually long-lasting plasticity may be related to the fact that the conditioning is associated with normal behavior," Fetz said.

'"/>

Source:University of Washington


Page: 1 2
Related biology news :

1. Nanogen Issued Patent for Electronic Microarray With Memory
2. Successful Test Of Single Molecule Switch Opens The Door To Biomolecular Electronics
3. Scientists directly view immune cells interacting to avert autoimmunity
4. Growth hormone is made in the brain, report scientists
5. The brain, traffic and nano-circuits -- e-Science takes on major challenges
6. Seals protect brain, conserve oxygen by turning off shivering response on icy dives
7. Scientists identify genetic pathways essential to RNA interference
8. Opposing fat metabolism pathways triggered by a single gene
9. Scientists identify genetic pathways essential to RNA interference
10. New pathways for autoimmune treatment identified
11. New study reveals signaling pathways required for expansion of pancreas stem cells