In neurons learned to record information

Several years ago, neuroscientists learned how to effectively act on a network of neurons (including human ones), forcing them to take a particular state under the influence of point electric pulses. The problem is that after the discharge, the patterns of neurons instantly assumed a different state, so that all the “programming” went down the drain.

Now for the first time in history, scientists have managed not only to record, but also to save information in living neurons. This is a very important step towards the creation of human-machine neurointerfaces and microcircuits with implanted neurons. Such chips are needed to create brain implants that can be used to inject memories into the human brain and to control neurons.

Researchers from Tel Aviv University (Israel) attempted to use the toxic drug picrotoxin to capture patterns in a live neural network. They successfully succeeded. “Frozen” nodes, which in no way interfere with the normal operation of the rest of the neural network, can be considered as information containers suitable for storing information for two days after their programming. Then they “defrost” and function further as if nothing had happened. See the scientific article ( PDF ) for details .

According to many scientists, the human brain stores information in the form of such “frozen” patterns of connected neurons, creating and fixing them independently. If you understand this system, then in the future it will even be possible to implant artificial memories into the brain, as well as whole microcircuits that could program these memories in real time, control and correct the natural functioning of the brain.

via New Scientist