The First Artificial Nerve Cell That Uses Real Neurotransmitters

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The First Artificial Nerve Cell That Uses Real Neurotransmitters

http://www.popsci.com/scitech/article/2009-07/swedish-scientists-create-robotic-\

nerve-cell

While Dean Kamen spends his time creating bionic replacement arms, a team of

Swedish scientists have begun developing a robotic prosthesis for a far more

complex organ: the brain.

Writing in this week's Nature Materials, the team announced that they had

created the first device that communicates with nerves in their own language of

neurotransmitter chemicals, rather than electrical impulses.

Previous neuroprothesis worked through electric signals that triggered already

existing nerves to release neurotransmitters like dopamine. However, the

electric signals didn't discriminate between different types of nerve cells,

which greatly reduced the fidelity and usefulness of the devices.

This new device utilizes the same neurotransmitters that natural nerves use.

That allows the robotic nerve to target specific neural pathways, without the

random side effects of electronic neural stimulation.

The technology is still in its infancy, but contains the potential for a radical

shift in brain/electronics interfaces.

In the short term, this technology could help people who suffer from diseases

like schizophrenia, by releasing the neurotransmitters needed to regulate the

out-of-control nerve firings associated with those diseases.

In the long term, as the the technology becomes smaller, cheaper, and able to

receive neurotransmitter signals as well as send them, these artificial nerves

could be used to create bionic brain prostheses for stroke victims, or even

serve as the intermediate between our biological brains and electronic

computers.

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