Artificial neurons replace nerves in the human brain

Swedish scientists have successfully developed an artificial neuron capable of transmitting nerve impulses similar to neurons in the human brain, opening new directions for treating neurological disorders.

Successfully developed artificial neurons

According to Popsci, scientists at the Swedish Karolinska Institute published research on Biosensor Magazine and Bioelectronics on April 22.

The neuron is one of hundreds of types of cells in the human body.(Photos: Wikipedia)

Neurons (neurons) are highly sophisticated to transmit nerve impulses. By using neurotransmitters available in the cell, the amount of information that these neurons transmit is estimated to be up to 1,000 billion bits per second.

When suffering from neurological disorders , neurons of patients will not be able to transmit information normally. To deal with this disease, scientists often use electrical impulses or some drugs to ensure nerve impulse transmission. However, these two methods are only relatively effective in some cases.

For artificial neurons , their behavior is similar to normal neurons. When there is a chemical signal, it receives, transforms into a nerve impulse, and transmits it to another neuron, while securing a neurotransmitter.

To test the ability of an artificial neuron, the team placed one end of the neuron sample into a substance similar to the neurotransmitter that neurons could receive. They then examine how many chemical signals are produced at the other end of the neuron by using a monitor to monitor the variation of electrochemical impulses inside the artificial neuron.

Members of the team hope that an artificial neuron will overcome the neurological disorder or impairment caused by illness or injury. Currently, the size of an artificial neuron is still quite large, as long as a fingertip and made of a bio-conductive organic polymer.

Diagram of artificial neuron structure.(Photo: Popsci)

In the future, researchers will continue to study to reduce the size of artificial neurons to the extent that they can be implanted into the human brain . This promises to make treatment of neurological diseases more effective and easy.