Scientists Stealing Thoughts

Scientists Stealing Thoughts

Recent studies and clinical trials conducted by researchers from the University of California at Berkeley, indicate that the ability to "map out" thoughts based on changes in brain activity. They conducted these clinical trials using a network of electrodes (similar to an EEG or ECoG) implanted within the brains of 15 epileptic patients, initially used by surgeons to discover the origin of seizures within these patients brains. However, the data collected allowed researchers to analyze brain pattern data based on the patient's reaction to specific sounds. The researchers introduced a large variety of words and sounds (different frequencies, tones, intonations, etc.). The researchers then used then constructed 2 separate computer programs to analyze and reconstruct the brain activity readings. From this data, the researchers were able to begin to deduce and compile data concerning different locations of activity within the brain associated with specific words and sounds. The researchers believe that, through this technique, they may one day be able to utilize this data to decode and read a person's brain.

This article is quite relevant towards last semesters design team project. If this technology is further developed, doctors may be able to not only communicate with those incapable of speech or response (in a comma, etc.), but also for measuring the level of brain function within an alleged brain dead person, ideally as a diagnostic tool. In addition, this technology may facilitate researchers ability to truly understand the "thought process" within a persons brain, furthering the decoding of the brain.

http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2012-01/decoding-brain-waves-could-let-doctors-hear-what-we-hear-%E2%80%94-and-maybe-what-we-think

http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2012/01/scienceshot-a-brain-wave-worth-a.html