Science Fiction
Dictionary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
 |
Optogenetics - Fiber Optic Brain Control
Optogenetics is a technique for controlling the behavior of specific groups of nerve cells in the brain. Genetically engineered viruses carry light-triggered proteins into the brain of the animal; the viruses can be tailored to attach themselves to specific groups of cells.
The brain cells can then be activated by focused light; only those cells that are infected will respond to the light delivered into the brain by fiber optic strand.
(Optogenetically controlled mouse)
The mouse pictured above has a fiber optic strand implanted in the top of its skull; when the light is turned on, the mouse is compelled to run in circles. This video shows what happens when this optogenetically-controlled animal is "switched on":
(Optogenetically controlled mouse video)
Other mice have been trained to prefer certain rooms within a maze by activating parts of the brain that suggest that a reward has been provided (like food) whenever they are in that room.
The intent of this research is to eventually find effective treatments for brain diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and epilepsy. Tailored optogenetic viruses could specifically work on the appropriate cells, rather than using chemicals that flood the entire brain.
This scenario should look familiar to science fiction fans as well. In a way, this is similar to the process by which a person is assimilated into the Borg in the ST:TNG series. The Borg start by injecting nanoprobes into the bloodstream which latch onto specific cells.
The idea that you could shine a light onto a person's brain and make them feel "rewarded" probably reminds Niven fans of the tasp from his 1970 novel Ringworld. This device is able to stimulate the pleasure centers in the brain remotely, without any sort of special surgical implant.
I'm also remembering sf stories in which remarkable inventions are created by "forcing" their genius creators to greater and greater focus and concentration. If I remember correctly, that method is used by the Mule in Asimov's Foundation series from the 1950's.
Update: Thanks to AJ for reminding me about the mindrot microbe from Vernor Vinge's 1999 novel A Deepness in the Sky.
"Focusing ennobles. It is the key to Emergent success, and a much more subtle thing than you can imagine. It's not just that we've created a psychoactive microbe. This is one whose growth within the brain can be controlled with millimeter precision - and once in place, the ensemble can be guided in its actions with the same precision.""Don't you see? We can improve the attention-focusing aspects of consciousness: we can take humans and turn them into analytical engines."
(Read more about Vinge's focusing)
End update.
From WSJ Training a Light on Brain Disease via Medgadget.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 6/24/2009)
Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |
Would
you like to contribute a story tip?
It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add
it here.
Comment/Join discussion ( 3 )
Related News Stories - (" Medical ")
Forward CarePod The AI Doctor's Office
'It's an old model,' Rawlins said. 'I'm not sure what to do.'
Octopus Suckers Inspire Transdermal Patches
'...a capsule which he placed against his wrist.' - Philip K. Dick, 1960.
'Droplet' Battery Microscale Power Pack
'...a power pack the size of a pea.' - Alfred Bester, 1956.
Who Needs Asimov's 'Proteus' When You Can Have Pangolins?
'The Proteus was still falling, still shrinking...' - Isaac Asimov, 1966.
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
Science Fiction
Timeline
1600-1899
1900-1939
1940's 1950's
1960's 1970's
1980's 1990's
2000's 2010's
Current News
Wearable Energy Harvester
'... he had tightened the chest to gain maximum pumping action from the motion of breathing.'
Drones Participate In Buddhist Rites
'...a prayer wheel swung into view and began spinning at a furious pace.'
Anna Indiana AI Singer-Songwriter
'She is a personality-construct, a congeries of software agents'
Video Manicuring ala Schismatrix
'The program raced up the screen one scan line at a time'
'Feel the AGI' OpenAI Leader Now OpenWorship
'And are all the people willing to be governed by a machine?'
NASA Tests Prototype Europa Lander
Why have legs if they don't walk around?
Tailsitter Drone Aircraft For SAR
'...it was so easy for me to remain motionless in midair.'
Forward CarePod The AI Doctor's Office
'It's an old model,' Rawlins said. 'I'm not sure what to do.'
Mika The Robot-Boss
'the robot-boss was busy at the lip of the new lode instructing and egging the men on to greater speed...'
Yamaha Motoroid 2 No Handlebars Self-Balancing Motorcycle
'He rode the bike with an intense lack of physical grace...'
San Francisco Autobus
'THE autobus turned silently down the wide street...'
Should Your Car Decide If You Can Drive?
'Okay. Maybe the car was right...'
Lucid Dreams On Demand From Prophetic and Card79
'the peeper did not operate by virtue of its machinery alone, but by the reaction of the brain and the body of its user...'
Honda UNI-ONE Hands-Free Wheelchair Follows 100 Year-Old Design
'Noiselessly, on rubber-tired wheels, they journeyed...'
EBS-260 Handjet Free Hand Dot Matrix Printer
'McKie held a chalf-memory stick over the dusted surface.'
Sensitive, Soft Robot Skin
'...tinted material that had all the feel and appearance of human flesh and epidermis.'
