Scientists in Tel Aviv, Israel have managed to manipulate the cerebellum with a chip outside of the skull, wired to the rat's brains. The cerebellum is a part of the brain that helps coordinate and time movements, but is not responsible for the movements itself. The chip is able to interpret signals from the body, process them and pass on the signal to other parts of the brain. It is unique because the chip works both ways. A bionic arm, for example only works one way around. It can only move because the brain gives off signals to move, but it isn't able to give a signal to the brain (e.g. pain).
Scientists have tested the chip by making a conditional reflex test . Upon hearing a certain sound cue, the rats would get a puff of air blown into their eyes, thus learning them to close their eyes upon hearing the sound. Teaching this reflex to the rats at the sound cue without blowing air into their eyes and without the help of the chip failed. After applying the chip to the rat's brains however, the rats did close their eyes.
"This demonstrates how far we have come towards creating circuitry that could one day replace damaged brain areas and even enhance the power of the healthy brain," says Francesco Sepulveda of the University of Essex in Colchester, UK, who was not involved in the research. "The circuitry mimics functionality that is very basic. Nonetheless, this is an exciting step towards enormous possibilities."[/p]
