Medical Electrical Eng. Intersted in Brain Signals & Nerve Msgs

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The discussion centers on the potential to convert brain signals into electrical signals that can trigger actions outside the body. While it is possible to measure brain activity, including signals from individual neurons, understanding the meaning behind these signals remains complex. Existing technologies, such as brain-computer interfaces for quadriplegics, demonstrate practical applications by allowing users to control devices like a mouse cursor using brainwaves. However, the signals themselves are binary, indicating only "on" or "off" states, which limits the depth of translation. The conversation highlights the ongoing research in mapping nerve activity to facilitate communication and control through thought, emphasizing the challenges in interpreting these signals beyond their basic binary nature.
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Hello,
Am Electrical Engineer, and am interseted in the signals generated by the brain and the messages transmitted across the nerves..I wonder if is it possible to take these signal and transform them to electric signal outside the body to make some action according to the given message?
Thank you
 
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We can measure the activity, in some cases we can even measure signals for a single neuron. Understanding what the signal is and what it means is quite different thing.

But there were some experiments done, like systems designed for quadriplegics that allow them to steer mouse cursor with brainwaves. See for example http://www.livescience.com/health/050317_brain_interface.html
 
hisham.i said:
Hello,
Am Electrical Engineer, and am interseted in the signals generated by the brain and the messages transmitted across the nerves..I wonder if is it possible to take these signal and transform them to electric signal outside the body to make some action according to the given message?
Thank you

Along the lines of what Borek said, there is no "translating" what amounts to a binary signal, beyond "on" or "off". It's used the way he mentioned, and also for prosthesis.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071111182522.htm
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/62304.php

and more.

In the end, mapping which nerves fire when we "think" to do something, is a kind of translation. Remember, that a single nerve doesn't carry information beyond, "I am firing now", which is your "1", compared to not firing which is your "0".
 
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