Growing neural circuits into an 'extension cord'

Neural 'extension cord' developed for brain implants 19 January 2007 - New Scientist.

Smith, at Pennsylvania. Quite a nice trick.

"A group of neurons is cultured on top of an array of 96 electrodes covered with a protein coating that causes them to attach. When placed 100 microns (about the width of a human hair) from another patch of neurons on a separate plate, the cells grow towards them, eventually joining neuron clumps together.

A motor is then used to slowly draw the two plates apart – causing the nerve fibres to continuing growing, at up to 1 cm each day. "We plan to use the free end to interface with the nervous system," Smith told New Scientist, "while the other end interfaces with a computer."

Tests have already shown that electrical signals can be transmitted in both directions along the cord. "Tests in animal models are next," says Smith. Connecting the chord to electrodes outside of the brain means the reaction of neurons to non-organic material can be controlled. In future, the cord could connect an amputee's nerves to a sophisticated prosthetic, he says, and might even offer a way to connect artificial eyes or ears to the brain."

Artificial Retinas Stimulate Neuron Growth (in cats)

Scientists Optimistic on "Bionic" Eyes - Forbes.com: "The 2-millimeter-wide chips, developed by Optobionics Corp. of Naperville, Ill., are surgically implanted in the back of eye. Each chip's surface is covered with 5,000 microphotodiodes that react to light, sending electric signals along the eye's optic nerve to the brain.

'We're placing it right where the photoreceptors are and if they're lacking, this is supposed to replace what they're doing,' she said. 'At this point, its impulses of light they're seeing (as opposed to images), but the aim of the research is to get more information out of the chip.'

Besides helping slow the advance of the disease, studies suggest that the electric currents generated by the chips may be regenerating damaged photoreceptors surrounding the implants."

Robot nurses could be on the wards in three years, say scientists

(with cute robot pic.)

Brains can be kept alive in isolation

Keeping brains alive in vitro has been possible since the sixties. Part one of the prerequisites for "biological AI" seems to be mostly solved.

Robert J White on head transplantation.

Brain transplantation (Warning: mildly gory/sensationalist article): "... Dr White managed to keep the isolated brain alive for days, proving not only that the brain could survive away from its own body but that it was immunologically sound - meaning that, unlike a kidney, it could be transplanted without the likelihood of the new 'body' rejecting it."

Even Wikipedia has an article on head transplants.