How To 'write' Into The Brain - Brainstorming

[weamy]

Hi

 

I am interested in making the Nerve Gear but I believe that the main problem with developing it is the 'writing' part.

What I mean by that, is the transfer of information from the Nerve Gear to the brain.

 

So I made this topic to brainstorm the possible ways of doing this.

The important part to remember is not to try and make it like the nerve gear (Therefore just thinking of non-invasive methods) but just to make it work.

 

So to start it off.

 

As another member said:

I think its near impossible to stimuate individuals axons, so we are going to have to stimulate entire nerves.

E.G. If a feeling is supposed to be felt on the fingertip, stimulate the nerve(s) of the entire finger.

[17robots]

That's interesting,weamy. Have you ever considered the idea of having arrays of stimuli that stimulate clusters of nerves that all serve the same function? If there is ever an in depth study done that's purpose is to determine which group of nerves are responsible for certain actions, then that can be used to determine how to program the arrays of stimuli.

[weamy]

I don't entirely understand your first statement. Could you please provide an example?

 

Ah, brain mapping. I think we (as human-kind) have mapped alot of the brain already. But I'm not sure.

[17robots]

For my first statement, try to think of a grid of some sort of stimuli that is put into the helmet all over, and it is then programmed to stimulate the different areas that we tell it to within the game, or whatever applications get developed for the device.

[weamy]

Interesting. I think one of the main questions here is "Are some parts that we need to stimulate, underneath other parts?"

 

Because if so, we'll probably need to use invasive methods.

 

We also need to think about what stimuli would be the best. Because I don't think electromagnetic waves (like in the anime) will cause a depolarisation in the neurones.

[17robots]

Ahh. I see what you're saying. And as for the stimuli, maybe if there is something that can go into the brain without stimulating different areas. Maybe some frequencies of something might work?

[weamy]

Well, one person suggested on the original thread(the one that caused the creation of this forum) of using nanowires to stimulate the nerves.

 

Well, if you say frequency, it must mean some sort of wave. Perhaps EM waves can cause stimulation.

 

For stimulation to occur, you need depolarisation of the neurone membrane. And this needs to the sodium voltage-gates to open. (I assume you know how action potentials are generated).

 

Can waves cause the sodium gates to open?