Introduction
This section is not meant to be a rewrite of an encyclopaedia – this section focuses on the basics required to have an understanding as to how these two fields of research interact with my goals of reading weak biological signals and interfacing with them (writing back to the body). It is important to note that the signals I wish to extract by remote means are generated by, or transmitted via, the brain and nervous system. For interest, I’ll open with two questions:
- Can you use technology to detect what I am going to do before I become consciously aware of what my brain has decided for me to do?
- Can remote (no-touch) devices induce feelings in me? Or adjust my decision making capabilities? Or influence my decisions?
Most people are unaware that the answer to both questions is “Yes”!
Back in 1929 Hans Berger recorded the electrical signals generated by the human brain using electrodes connected to the scalp. He called the technology Electroencephalogram (EEG). The signals generated by the brain are very weak, making them difficult to be detected by external devices. Currently and depending on requirements, researchers either use surface-mounted technology (non-invasive) or implanted technology (invasive). Both approaches have limitations, with one posing great risk to the patient. Due to that invasive technologies (implants) are actually touching the brain, they currently tend to read better signals than non-invasive technologies. Therefore, research is often limited to those subjects already undergoing brain surgeries, providing the ability to place devices in close proximity to the part of the brain that is to be read.
However, as our understanding of the interconnection of the nervous system and the brain has grown, Neuroscience is no longer now just limited to the brain – the science now includes the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (connecting the limbs and organs). Many years of scientific study has enabled our ability to diagnose many disorders, injury, and illness, such as: seizures, brain inflammation, tumors, memory problems, stroke, and sleep disorders. This has lead to the development of technologies used for such things as: the monitoring of body functions during surgery, and the controlling of body electronics and prosthetics.
To get a better picture of current neuroscience studies and capabilities, I offer this non-formal interview between presenter Paula Marantz Cohen, Dean at Drexel University, and Dr. James Giordano. In the interview they discuss Dr. James Giordano’s role as advisor to the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon under the Obama administration, his contribution to the blockbuster film “Limitless”, and his general career. More importantly he provides a good overview as to how neuroscience fits into our current economic, political, and social environment, he discusses the future of neuroethics, developments in neurolaw, and the military’s weaponization of brain science.