Page 4 - BB Neuromedicine Highlights 2019

NeurOmOrPhIc

Computing And

BraIN chIPs

Neuromedicine Innovation Or Pandora’s Box?

Though you may not realize it, more than 40,000 computer-brain interfaces have already
been employed in healthcare today. Thus, to say computer-brain interfaces are something
new would be inaccurate. But compared to what the future of neuromedicine holds, these
types of interfaces are quite rudimentary. The real game-changer awaits us in the form of
silicon brains and computer-brain connections. From neuromorphic computing to implanted
brain chips, human—and machine—intelligence is about to take a quantum leap.

But at the same time, serious undersTanding neuro- of creating brain-like structures brain chips seek to enhance
concerns exist. In addition to morphiC CmpuTing and using silicon as a base. In these human intelligence through
privacy and security risks, new Brain Chips systems, individual silicon chips connections to computing and
problems could also arise from At the current time, the two seek to function like individual information technologies.
superintelligence. The question is technologies of neuromorphic brain neurons. Thus, ultimate-
how these advances in technolo- computing and brain chips are ly, an actual silicon brain using Brain Chips in neuromed-
gy and science will be managed somewhat separated in terms of neuromorphic computing would iCine Today and FuTure
when it comes to being socially industries. Neuromorphic com- mimic a human’s brain function- opporTuniTies
responsible. puting refers more to the pursuit ally. The use of brain chips in neuro-
Brain chips, on the other hand, medicine is not new. The original
are being used to harness the work in this area was pursued by
power of the neuron in a single the U.S. Defense Advanced Re-
chip. But these pursuits are look- search Projects Agency in military
ing to use brain chips to foster veterans. Today, thousands of
connections to computing sys- brain chips have been implant-
tems to improve human function. ed as part of brain-computer
In doing so, human consciousness interfaces to enhance function.
would have access to all the These are commonly used in
vast information and processing patients with stroke and epilepsy
power available. Therefore, to to activate or deactivate areas of
say it in simple words, neuromor- the brain. They are also used with
phic computing strives to give robotic prosthetics in amputees
machines and robotics the power to promote movement and
of the human brain. Meanwhile, mobility.