Implantation of the geomagnetic compass in rat brain was successful

Why eyesight, if the brain has a digital compass, which is sensitive to the geomagnetic field? Experiments have shown that animals are able to fairly quickly adapt to the new implant in the brain - and acquire a sixth sense, which largely replaces the vision. Perhaps in the future will introduce such gadgets in the brains of people. Imagine that in the dark man calmly landmark, as do the крысы in the labyrinth of the University of Tokyo .

2, 5 g neuroprosthesis Japanese experiment consisted of a geomagnetic compass and two electrodes that are connected to the areas of the visual cortex, where the processing of visual information.

If the rat turns to the north (in the sector of 20 °), then the electric pulse is sent to the right eye. If it turns south, the electrode is activated from another hemisphere. Thus, the rat is gradually map of the area in his mind, though has no visual information.



After several days of experiments in the T-maze, at one end of which was the food, the rats quickly learned to find food in 80% of cases. This corresponds to the figure for the sighted rats.



A similar situation was observed in more complex F-maze with four false moves.



Of course, first of all such implants are designed for people who are blind, so that they could somehow navigate in space. After them, you might think about the cybernetic upgrade soldiers, rescue workers and other professionals who value this functionality.

Results of the study опубликованы in the journal Current Biology.

"My dream is that people will be able to expand their sensory abilities using artificial sensors that are sensitive to geomagnetism, ultraviolet, radio waves, ultrasound and so on, - says Yuji Ikegami (池 谷 裕 二), head of the research group at Tokyo University in an interview with New Scientist, which introduces rats implants. - Ultrasonic sensors and transmitters in the brain can lead human-human communication to a new level. "

Source: geektimes.ru/post/248570/