BMI Technology

Next let us the discuss the topic as to how can the technology of Brain Machine Interface overcome the limitations of Neuroplasticity when a serious blockage occurs.
Brain Machine Interface (BMI) is a technology that allows the brain to communicate directly with an external device, such as a computer or a robotic arm. BMI can overcome some of the limitations of neuroplasticity, which is the ability of the brain to reorganize its neural connections in response to injury or learning.
One of the limitations of neuroplasticity is that it is not unlimited and depends on many factors, such as the age, health, and education of the individual, the type, severity, and duration of the injury, and the availability and quality of rehabilitation and training. Therefore, some neural pathway blockages may be too severe or chronic to be compensated by neuroplasticity alone.
BMI can enhance neuroplasticity by providing feedback and stimulation to the brain, which can facilitate the formation of new connections and the recovery of function. For example, a BMI can translate brain signals into commands that control a robotic device or a functional electric stimulation (FES) system, which can assist the patient in performing daily life activities or exercises. This can create a contingent link between the brain and the movement, which can activate neuroplastic mechanisms and reinforce the desired neural activity.
Another way that BMI can overcome the limitations of neuroplasticity is by bypassing the damaged neural pathways and creating alternative routes for communication. For example, a BMI can decode the brain signals of the patient and send them to another brain region or another person, who can then execute the intended action or provide feedback. This can enable the patient to interact with the environment or other people, which can improve their quality of life and motivation.
To summarise, BMI can overcome some of the limitations of neuroplasticity by enhancing or bypassing the neural pathways that are blocked by injury. However, BMI is not a magic solution and also has its own challenges and risks, such as ethical, social, and technical issues. Therefore, BMI should be considered as a COMPLEMENTARY TOOL TO NEUROPLASTICITY, RATHER THAN A REPLACEMENT.

Brain Machine Interface (BMI) AUGMENT the cognitive and relative capacity of human brain.
Neuralink of Elon Musk

Elon Musk’s Neuralink is one of the pioneer company dealing with BMI technology.
Neuralink is a company founded by Elon Musk that aims to develop and improve brain-machine interface (BMI) technologies, which are devices that allow the brain to communicate directly with external devices, such as computers or robots. Neuralink’s BMI technology attempts to achieve and improve upon earlier existing BMI technologies in several ways, such as:
The many ways to improve upon are:
– Increasing the number of electrodes: Neuralink’s BMI implant contains 1,024 electrodes, which can record from more neurons and provide higher resolution and accuracy than previous BMI devices.
– Reducing the size and invasiveness: Neuralink’s BMI implant is only 8 millimeters in diameter and can be inserted into the skull with minimal damage to the surrounding tissue. The implant is also wireless and battery-powered, eliminating the need for wires or bulky devices attached to the head.
– Developing a surgical robot: Neuralink has designed and built a surgical robot that can perform the implantation procedure with high precision and speed. The robot can insert the electrodes into the brain without damaging any blood vessels, reducing the risk of bleeding or infection.
– Leveraging advanced algorithms and neural networks: Neuralink uses artificial intelligence to decode the complex patterns of neural activity and translate them into meaningful commands or feedback. This enables the user to control external devices, such as prosthetic limbs or robotic systems, with their thoughts alone.
Neuralink’s BMI technology is still in the early stages of development and testing, but it has shown promising results in animal experiments and human trials. Neuralink hopes to use its BMI technology to treat brain-related injuries and disorders, such as paralysis, stroke, or Alzheimer’s disease. Neuralink also envisions a future where its BMI technology can enhance human capabilities and enable humans to outpace artificial intelligence.

A complete human brain transplant in future?

An interesting question would be how far away BMI technologies are in achieving a complete human brain transplant in future?
A complete human brain transplant is a hypothetical procedure that involves transferring the brain of one person into the body of another person. BMI technologies, which are devices that allow the brain to communicate directly with external devices, such as computers or robots, may play a role in facilitating or enhancing such a procedure, but they are not sufficient to achieve it.

There are many scientific, technical, ethical, and legal challenges that prevent the realization of a complete human brain transplant. Some of these challenges include:

– Finding a suitable donor body that matches the brain’s blood type, tissue type, and immune system.
– Preserving the brain’s viability and function during the removal, transport, and implantation process.
– Connecting the brain’s blood vessels, nerves, and spinal cord to the donor body’s circulatory, nervous, and skeletal systems.
– Restoring the brain’s sensory, motor, and cognitive abilities in the new body.
– Dealing with the psychological, social, and identity issues that may arise from having a different body.
– Resolving the ethical and legal questions of who owns the brain, the body, and the resulting person.

BMI technologies are far away from achieving a complete human brain transplant in the foreseeable future.
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The achievements of BCI at UCLA in 1970 and beyond.
Next let us appreciate that What are the achievements of BCI at UCLA in 1970 and since then what more achievements have taken place?
BCI stands for brain-computer interface, which is a technology that allows direct communication between the brain and external devices.
One of the achievements of BCI at UCLA in 1970 was the initiation of a program to explore brain communications using EEG, funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency of USA.
Some of the more recent achievements of BCI include:
– Demonstrating the human neuroprosthetic control of computer cursors, robotic limbs, and speech synthesizers, using no more than 256 electrodes.
– Developing sophisticated BCI-controlled applications for people with locked-in syndrome, resulting in increased quality of life and sense of personhood.
– Reducing the symptoms of schizophrenia, such as psychosis, emotional disturbances, and cognitive dysfunction, by using BCI to modulate brain activity.
These are just some examples of how BCI has evolved from a vision for the future to real support for various clinical and non-clinical purposes. However, BCI also poses many challenges and risks, such as ethical, social, and legal issues, as well as technical and biological limitations. Therefore, more research and development are needed to make BCI more safe, effective, and accessible.
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Some more details of Neuralink implant
In order to better appreciate, we must answer the question what is the part of the brain in which the Neuralink implant has been done and what is the main function of that part of the brain.
Neuralink is a company that develops brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) that aim to allow people to control devices THROUGH THOUGHT ALONE.
Neuralink has implanted a brain chip in a human for the first time, as revealed by its founder Elon Musk on January 29, 2024. The implant has 1,024 electrodes, which a robot connects to the brain using a fine needle.
The implant is placed in a region of the brain that controls the intention to move, also known as the motor cortex or the precentral gyrus. This region is located in the frontal lobe of the cerebrum, the largest part of the brain.
The motor cortex is responsible for planning, initiating, and executing voluntary movements of the body. It sends signals to the spinal cord and the muscles to coordinate the actions of different body parts.
The implant’s goal is to ENABLE PEOPLE WITH PARALYSIS OR OTHER MOTOR IMPAIRMENTS to control a computer cursor or keyboard using their thoughts alone. The implant records and transmits brain signals wirelessly to an app that decodes movement intention.
Neuralink’s human trial is a promising step towards leveraging BCI technology to improve the quality of life for people with various brain disorders or damages. However, BCI also poses many challenges and risks, such as ethical, social, and legal issues, as well as technical and biological limitations. Therefore, more research and development are needed to make BCI more safe, effective, and accessible.
Concluded.