Pentagon enlists universities to collaborate on brain implants to repair brain injury
By Andrew Nusca | May 7, 2010
DARPA, the U.S. Department of Defense’s research arm, has announced $14.9 billion in funding for major research institutions to collaborate on brain implants that can help repair traumatic brain injury and control the brain.
The Pentagon project, called RePAIR (”Reorganization and Plasticity to Accelerate Injury Recovery“), aims to find a way to better analyze brain activity to develop more advanced models of how it operates.
The effort is comprised of 10 professors and their research teams, culled from fields such as neurobiology, psychiatry and network engineering.
The researchers hail from Stanford and Brown universities, the University of California-San Francisco and University College London.
Brain injury is not an uncommon injury. It affects vehicular accident victims, stroke patients and military veterans alike, totaling 1.7 million Americans each year.
The problem? Scientists know very little about it.
Currently, scientists can create conceptual models of brain activity and can record electrical pulses emitted by individual neurons in the brain. But they can’t yet manipulate those pulses to reprogram the brain.
Enter optogenetics. The new technique involves emitting pulses of light to pinpoint and trigger a single neuron.
The scientists involved in the project seek to develop brain implants made of electrodes or optical fibers that can read electrical signals from neurons and deliver light pulses to stimulate other brain regions in response — in effect, filling the gaps or “gray areas” where the brain has been too damaged to function properly.
Here’s an excerpt from the DARPA solicitation:
Through understanding the principles that allow networks in different anatomic regions to coordinate and communicate in order to perform a task, we seek to understand the means through which the brain enables improved performance over time. Further, by evaluating brain activity at several scales simultaneously (EEG, local field potential, single neuron, neurotransmitter, and corresponding scales for other transmission means), investigators may be able to determine which properties generated at the single neuron level can be correlated and predicted in a meaningful manner at grosser levels of measurement, such as EEG.
The program is divided into two phases with three primary goals:
- Create a bio-computationally accurate model of a primate performing a complex dexterous task;
- Demonstrate the ability to stimulate relevant regions of the brain to evoke a response in the primate similar to that evoked through natural interaction with their surrounding environment;
- Enable injury recovery by mimicking or simulating an injured brain.
Naturally, the researchers must first understand how the brain functions before they try to emulate it. If all goes as planned, testing in lab animals could commence in as little as four years.
- does this mean that us in IT., may get help after we,ve been iradiated by computers and fiddling about with electrical devices?
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2
spaceman123
05/20/10 braindead hear
i say this because i,ve just been fiddling about with a laser and i can,t focus too well and i,m getting a headache[well that,ll be a new one]
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3
dave1f@…
05/20/10 |
RE: Pentagon enlists universities to collaborate on brain implants to repai
Okay, that’s just stupid and a waste of money and research. 21 years ago I was able to destroy areas of Rats brains, implant fetal tissue and my histology showed that tissue WAS regenerated and made neuro-synaptic connections. This was the forerunner of Stem Cell research. Plasticity and normal Biological functions can already produce the desired repair with just a little help and current research is pointing towards Stem cells derived from the original organism. No need to re-invent the wheel with mechanics rife with difficult mechanical issues.
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4
cliffordmjordan@…
05/20/10 |
RE: Pentagon enlists universities to collaborate on brain implants to repair brain injury
My scientific side loves the idea that the Pentagon is proposing
here. However, my deeply suspicious side says there is more to
this research than DARPA is exposing… Once perfected, implants
can be input into soldier’s brains and controlled remotely… What
can stimulate a neural net to recover a brain trauma can also
stimulate a neural net to induce a desired behavior of a soldier.
Here are the possible outcomes of such a technology:
1. Implants to overcome fear or doubt in the battle
2. Implants to speed up a soldier’s reaction time
3. Implants to manipulate thought processes and “coerce” a
desired decision from the soldier.
4. Basically, implants that can override the soldier’s conscious
and subconscious thought.
Ever see the movie “Manchurian Candidate???-cliff
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5
brighteyes459@…
05/20/10
RE: Pentagon enlists universities to collaborate on brain implants to repair brain injury
Interesting point Cliff! Look where the money is coming from for this
research. I think that stem cells research should be looked into more
closely myself. -
6
rtown187
05/21/10 |RE: Pentagon enlists universities to collaborate on brain implants to repair brain injury
WE ARE BORG RESISTANCE IS FUTILE!!!!
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7
alvinmoneypit
05/25/10
Finally, a solution to “friendly fire”.
So, every soldier (or every ‘citizen’ for that matter) gets a preemptive brain implant so when his head is erroneously shot through by a ‘fellow soldier( since the ‘enemy’ has been disarmed decades ago) he can without hesitation continue his killing spree. Terminators, here we come!
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8
alvinmoneypit
05/25/10 |
RE: Pentagon enlists universities to collaborate on brain implants to repair brain injury
The pentagon funds these little projects for the ultimate benefit of their corporate benefactors. Just imagine how profitable it will be to have brain chips in ll their customers. I read a news story a few years ago that by 2020 everyone will demand a brain chip. Now it’s happening, the only thing that remains are the irresistible selling points and with this current crop of bleating sheep we call ‘citizens’ it should be a truly Rumsfeldian ‘cakewalk’.
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9
tinamarie@…
05/26/10 |
RE: Pentagon enlists universities to collaborate on brain implants to repair brain injury
I think the government should put more time and funding into getting our soldiers who have suffered TBI’s a reasonable and inexpensive treatment. Such a treatment can be found in New Orleans, Louisiana with Dr. Paul Harch. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, or HBOT as it is commonly known has the ability to give our soldiers their lives back. Problem is, the FDA is dragging their feet on making this an accepted treatment. This enables insurance companies to refuse payment for service. In the mean time, our soldiers are suffering needlessly. My husband is a soldier with a TBI who has been treated with HBOT periodically for a year. After his first 40 treatments, his IQ went up 18 points. This can and does help brain injured people and I would encourage anyone to contact Dr. Harch. (google)
Tina H. -
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quiborum
05/28/10
RE: Pentagon enlists universities to collaborate on brain implants to repai
It would be great if this research could benefit the millions of patients with Essential
Tremor, presently ineffectively treated with atavistic, 20th century treatment of Inderal
and Mysoline. Neurosurgical Rx is available but prohibitively expensive and risky in
inexperienced hands.Bernhard A.K.
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11
AMADDOG623
06/02/10 |
RE: Pentagon enlists universities to collaborate on brain implants to repair brain injury
HOW ABOUT USING DEATH ROW INMATES FOR EXPERIMENT INSTEAD OF ANIMALS? WE KNOW THEY ARE ALREADY BRAIN DAMAGED IN SOME WAY, SO IT WOULD BE PERFECT!
The idea that the brain can repair itself is a relatively recent one. Up until the 1980s most neurologists believed that once neurons were injured, that was the end of the story. In large part, this belief was fueled by the eminent Spanish anatomist, Santiago Ramon y Cajal, who stated categorically that “nervous pathways are fixed and immutable, everything may die, nothing may be regenerated.” Ramon y Cajal was not only quite wrong, he ignored his own research, which demonstrated that the nervous system was fully capable of regeneration.
Brain Repair covers how, and why the brain and nervous system can recover functionality after both abrupt trauma and slow onset injuries. In clear, conversational style, the authors explain how the nervous system works, how it develops and, most importantly, the mechanisms through which it can heal itself. (The chapter on brain transplants was especially interesting.) But this is not a simple science text; the thoughtfulness with which the authors raise relevant issues goes beyond mere biology. “Of what benefit are these findings for patients?” is the question they repeatedly ask-one which all researchers would do well to remember.
If you are interested in neurology, this is the book you need to read before you embark on further research. It will provide you with both the knowledge and a conceptual basis for understanding brain plasticity. Best of all, you don’t need to be a neurobiologist to read it.
THESE PEOPLE HAVE PURPOSELY BEEN USING TORTURE, TERRORISM, CONSTANT MENTAL BATTERING, HUMILIATION, DEGRADATION, STALKING AND HARASSMENT, PUBLIC MOCKERY AND CONDEMNATION, EXECUTION STYLE DEATH THREATS TOWARDS ME AND MY FAMILY TELLING ME THEY’LL MAKE IT LOOK LIKE A MURDER SUICIDE, AND HAVE BEEN MAKING A PURPOSEFUL EFFORT TO USE THIS TORTURE AND TERROR THEY’VE BEEN PUTTING ME THROUGH TO GET ME TO PICK UP A GUN AND GO SHOOT SOMEONE WITH IT, AND OTHERS TO DO THE SAME.
THESE PEOPLE HAVE ACTUALLY USED THIS TECHNOLOGY TO TAKE MY LIFE AWAY AND TURN IT INTO A LIVING HELL.
EVERY DAY FOR THE LAST TWENTY FIVE YEARS I’VE HAD PEOPLE USING THIS TECHNOLOGY ON ME, AND AGAINST ME, AND IF NECESSARY ANYONE AROUND ME TO TAKE ME OUT OF ANY COMMUNITY AND EMPLOYMENT, AND HOLD ME AWAY FROM OTHER PEOPLE IN A NORMAL LIFESTYLE WITHOUT MY EVEN KNOWING THE TECHNOLOGY WAS POSSIBLE FOR THE ( FIRST ) ELEVEN YEARS THEY WHERE IN MY HEAD USING IT AGAINST ME.
AND FOR REFUSING TO ALLOW MYSELF TO BE MENTALLY BATTERED, PHYSICALLY TORTURED AND INTIMIDATED INTO SUBMISSIVE SILENCE
( EVEN BY MY OWN GOVERNMENTS WILLINGNESS TO COVER UP FOR THEM, AND MAKE THINGS WORSE ).
AFTER BEING A FIRST HAND TWENTY- FIVE YEAR VICTIM OF, AND WITNESS TO, WHAT I CAN ONLY DESCRIBE AS THE LARGE SCALE IMPLEMENTATION OF WHAT U.S. SCIENTISTS HAVE BEEN WORKING ON SINCE (1932) FOR (89 YEARS), AND HAVE REPEATEDLY BEEN CHOUGH ILLEGALLY EXPERIMENTING ON AMERICAN CITIZEN WITH ONE ULTIMATE GOAL: (( HUMAN MIND CONTROL ))
THIS IS NOT WHAT THEY INSIST TO BE THE DELUSIONS OR HALLUCINATION’S OF A PARANOID SCHIZOPHRENIC.
THIS IS VERY REAL, AND VERY DANGEROUS ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY WITH CAPABILITIES NOT JUST ANYONE GETS FROM JUST ANYWHERE, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT CONCERNS CAPABILITIES OF REMOTELY ACCESSING AND COMMUNICATING WITH THE HUMAN MIND AND CONTROLLING AND TORTURING HUMANS THROUGH THEIR OWN NERVOUS SYSTEMS WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE HUMANS THEY’RE DOING IT TO.
AND BEFORE YOU DISMISS THIS AS RIDICULES AND NOT REALLY HAPPENING I SUGGEST YOU EDUCATE YOU’RE SELF BEFORE PASSING JUDGMENT OUT OF IGNORANCE ABOUT SOMETHING THIS IMPORTANT.
AND ASK YOURSELF WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF SOMEONE WERE TO TRY USING THIS TECHNOLOGY LIKE THEY’VE BEEN GETTING AWAY WITH USING ON ME, ON OUR ELECTED OFFICIAL SHERIFF GILLESPIE, ANY POLICE OFFICER UNDER HIS COMMAND, OR ANY OF THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS OR FRIENDS.
THEY WOULD BE STEPPED ON AND SNUFFED OUT LIKE ANTS ON A SUGAR CUBE BY THIS CORRUPT GOVERNMENT SYSTEM THAT CAN ONLY SEE THIS KIND OF TECHNOLOGY AS A THREAT IF THEY’RE NOT IN COMPLETE CONTROL EVERY ASPECT OF IT THEMSELVES AND ANYONE WHO KNOWS IT’S CAPABILITIES WOULD HAVE TO BE A COMPLETE MORON TO BELIEVE OTHERWISE. ESPECIALLY IN LAS VEGAS.
OR OF COURSE USE THIS NON- EXISTENT HUMAN BRAIN COMMUNICATION, MONITORING AND CONTROL TECHNOLOGY, BEING USED BY THESE NON-EXISTENT FLESH AND BLOOD HUMAN BEINGS THE WAY THEY HAVE BEEN, ( TO THEIR OWN ADVANTAGE ).
ALL I CAN DO IS BE AS HONEST AS I CAN ABOUT ALL THAT’S BEEN GOING ON IN MY LIFE REGARDING MY FIRST HAND KNOWLEDGE OF THE TECHNOLOGY, AND HOPE I CAN GET ENOUGH PEOPLE TO BELIEVE ME TO HELP ME DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
IF WE ARE GOING TO HAVE HUMANS THE CONTROLLING FACTOR OF THE CAPABILITY’S
THIS TECHNOLOGY, WE MUST FIRST AND FOREMOST REALIZE THE HUMAN BRAIN TO BE THE ONLY THREAT OR ASSET REGARDING HOW IT WILL BE USED.
AND IT’S MOST EFFECTIVE AS A WEAPON THROUGH PEOPLES’ WILLINGNESS TO IGNORE THAT IT’S BEING USED AS A WEAPON , GO ALONG WITH IT BEING USED AS A WEAPON , OR REFUSE THROUGH IGNORANCE TO BELIEVE IT’S POSSIBLE.
AND THE FACT THAT THIS GOVERNMENT HAS EVERY POLICE STATION, VA AND PRIVATELY OWNED HOSPITAL AND MENTAL INSTITUTION I’VE BEEN TO OVER THE PAST ELEVEN YEARS DOING EXACTLY THAT, BOTHERS THE HELL OUT OF ME.
(THIS IS 2012) AND OURS BEING THE FIRST GENERATION WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF HAVING TO DEAL WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF TODAY’S MIND CONTROL TECHNOLOGY ON SUCH A MASSIVE SCALE.
WE NOW FIND OURSELVES HAVING TO DEAL WITH THE PEOPLE CONTROLLING IT’S WILLINGNESS TO USE IT AS A WEAPON ON THE HUMAN BEINGS THEY’VE PUT THE IMPLANTS INTO THE BRAINS OF.
(( THERE IS NO ONE ELSE TO DO IT ! ))