Korean scientists from the institute fundamental sciences have announced that they have succeeded for the first time in the world in “controlling the brain” of mice from a distance.
This information was reported by Science Alert, URA-Inform reports.
It is reported that scientists managed to do this thanks to a combination of genetics, nanoparticles and magnetic fields. It is noted that animals with “switches” in their brains behaved as the authors of the study dictated to them literally with a “snap of the fingers”.
Mind control technology itself is not new. Often, such experiments are carried out using bulky electrodes that literally tie the subject to an external system. Such systems not only require surgery to install, but also limit the ability of the experimental animal to move.
The researchers have named the new technology Nano-MIND, an acronym for Magnetogenetic Interface for NeuroDynamics. “Mind control” is a crude enough term to describe how the technology works, they say. In fact, the system gives researchers a means of remotely activating an animal's neural circuits for a range of research applications.
“This is the world's first technology that can freely control specific areas of the brain using magnetic fields. We expect it to be widely used in research to understand brain function, complex artificial neural networks, bilateral BCI (brain-computer interface) technologies, and to develop new treatments for neurological disorders,” said Jinwoo Jeong, lead author of the study and director of the IBS Nanomedicine Center.
In the course of the scientific experiment, the scientists integrated ion channels into target populations of mouse brain cells. At the same time, they could be activated magnetically. This happened by turning a compact drive. The scientists also developed three different tests for mice. The first of them was designed to test receptors involved in complex feeding and reward behavior. These receptors are located in the lateral hypothalamus, an area located deep within the very core of the brain.
«Under the influence of a magnetic field, a group of mice with switches on excitatory neurons ate only half of the food. The second group with artificially created inhibitory neurons ate twice as much while the magnetic field was active,» the researchers note.
In particular, the lateral hypothalamus contains areas of the brain responsible for animal sociability. Thus, scientists placed a test mouse in a cage with an animal that it had never seen before. The researchers found that by exposing the animal to a magnetic field, it is possible to activate friendly behavior. Another test was aimed at the main receptors in the medial preoptic area, which is involved in parental care.
«Female mice from Nano-MIND reacted differently to the cries of mice pups, rushed to them more and squatted for a long time over upset pups,» add scientists.
Scientists note that this technology can be used in the future to treat mental disorders in people, returning control over the mind to a person.
Recall that earlier it was reported that scientists discovered the secret of the mummy that “screams”.