Initial success in connecting human brains together

Scientists are working on developing a computer that can connect human brains to one another. If successful, this will be one of the effective support solutions for treating diseases such as stroke and epilepsy.

Connect human brains together

Scientists have long been studying a machine that can connect brains together .

Miguel Nicolelis, a neuroscientist at Duke University Medical Center, has made new strides in studying this issue. His team successfully built a " Brainet" or a brain-connected network of 4 mice.

With electrodes implanted directly into the cortex area, the mice exchange information with each other in real time and create an organic computer system. In general, this study has solved many problems related to calculations including image processing, storage, recall information and accurate predicting of rainfall.

Nicolelis conducted the first experiment with three monkeys connected to each other with the task of controlling the arms on a virtual monkey on the screen. Monkeys are put into 3 separate rooms and connected to each other, so they can exchange information based on their views. During this time, each monkey will face a computer screen.

Experiments show that animals can combine their brains together for the same goal. Of course, when completing the task, each adorable monkey will be rewarded with 1 part of juice to stimulate their working spirit. Over time, scientists realized that the coordination between these animals became more and more clever.

Researchers then had the idea of ​​a machine called " Superbrain " and experimented with mice. They experimented with each pair of mice, when a pair solved the problem, their brain activity was transferred to other pairs through electrical stimulation.

Upon receiving this information, the following mouse pairs proved easier to perform the tasks assigned by the scientists. In this experiment, scientists calculated the relationship between the increase and decrease of electric stimulation with other environmental factors such as increased air temperature and pressure drop. Based on these signs, the team made predictions about rain with an initial accuracy of 41%. Experiments show that the combination of multiple mice gives the end result better than when they work independently.

One of the interesting things Nicolelis observed was that the mice learned how to divide the workload in the group to ensure no one had to work too much. Although only at an animal research stage, scientists believe that the future of organic computers will be very helpful for people, especially in treating diseases such as stroke and epileptic.

Moreover, Nicolelis said his team is heading to a " Brainet" that connects the brains of many people together, when the brains of many people can combine to be able to use each other's knowledge, solve complex problems of current science.