The Connection Between the Nervous System and Machines: Commentary
- PMID: 31692449
- PMCID: PMC6868503
- DOI: 10.2196/16344
The Connection Between the Nervous System and Machines: Commentary
Abstract
Decades of technological developments have populated the field of brain-machine interfaces and neuroprosthetics with several replacement strategies, neural modulation treatments, and rehabilitation techniques to improve the quality of life for patients affected by sensory and motor disabilities. This field is now quickly expanding thanks to advances in neural interfaces, machine learning techniques, and robotics. Despite many clinical successes, and multiple innovations in animal models, brain-machine interfaces remain mainly confined to sophisticated laboratory environments indicating a necessary step forward in the used technology. Interestingly, Elon Musk and Neuralink have recently presented a new brain-machine interface platform with thousands of channels, fast implantation, and advanced signal processing. Here, how their work takes part in the context of the restoration of sensory-motor functions through neuroprostheses is commented.
Keywords: brain-machine interfaces; neural electrodes; neural recording; neurostimulation; sensory-motor dysfunctions.
©Giacomo Valle. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (http://www.jmir.org), 06.11.2019.
Conflict of interest statement
Conflicts of Interest: None declared.
Comment on
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An Integrated Brain-Machine Interface Platform With Thousands of Channels.J Med Internet Res. 2019 Oct 31;21(10):e16194. doi: 10.2196/16194. J Med Internet Res. 2019. PMID: 31642810 Free PMC article.
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