New Development Makes Next-Level Brain Implants Possible

Current brain implants are less than ideal. They are crude brain-computer interface (BCI) devices that are implanted during an invasive procedure, and a relatively small number of electrodes make contact with the brain despite the large size of the devices. While they are somewhat effective in the mitigation of the effects of epilepsy, Parkinson’s, and other neurodegenerative conditions, they'd be far more useful with more electrodes making contact than the mere tens of thousands that is possible now.

To dramatically Excellerate BCIs, scientists need to create an implant device that is less invasive than current methods and can still offer more interactive channels, including direct interfaces with the visual and auditory cortices. This kind of BCI would create a vastly expanded range of contact points for brain function support by artificial systems.

Enter the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD's) Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and its Neural Engineering System Design (NESD) program. Columbia Engineering Professor Ken Shepard is leading this team, which recently received a $15.8 million grant for the next four years. Their goal is to invent exactly this kind of device, with the specific intent to help people with hearing and vision impairment and neurodegenerative diseases, and they're using flexible silicon electronics to do it. The team plans to develop an implantable device with one million channels and they hope to apply for approval for regulatory testing by the time the four-year grant expires.

Shepard and his team think that the scale of the interface, the necessary complexity of the device, the project's aggressive timeframe, and the high noninvasiveness requirement can be achieved only with brain surface level electrode architectures. And, while there is a current precedent in clinical practice for surface-level stimulation and recording, the demands of the NESD goals require significant advancement beyond those interfaces.

The implanted chips from this research team are unique; they are flexible enough to avoid damaging the brain tissue, very lightweight, and ultra-conformable on the surface of the brain. The chip itself has no need to pierce the brain tissue, instead it uses data telemetry and wireless power. This kind of baseline technology is exactly what both Elon Musk's Neuralink and Bryan Johnson's Kernel need to get their envisioned technologies rolling.

“This subject has drawn lots of interest from the private sector recently, including start-ups Neuralink and Kernel,” Shepard stated in the press release. “If they are successful, the tiny size and massive scale of this device could provide the opportunity for transformational interfaces to the brain, including direct interfaces to the visual cortex that would allow patients who have lost their sight to discriminate complex patterns at unprecedented resolutions.”

And, as Musk and Johnson have noted, it would allow humans to keep up with AI.

Bryan Johnson is an investor in Futurism; he does not hold a seat on their editorial board or have any editorial review privileges.

The Difference Between Epinephrine and Norepinephrine

Epinephrine and norepinephrine have a lot in common. Epinephrine (also called adrenaline), norepinephrine, and dopamine make up a small but important hormone family called catecholamines. 

Epinephrine and norepinephrine are the hormones behind your “fight-or-flight” response (also called the fight, flight, or freeze response). When you experience stress, these two hormones leap into action. They also play roles in some of your everyday bodily functions. 

Dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, a chemical messenger in your brain. This chemical controls your responses to sensory information. When you yank your hand back from a hot stove or when you find yourself craving something sugary in the candy aisle, that’s dopamine at work. 

Dopamine’s roles spread far and wide, including: 

A dopamine imbalance can lead to a loss of motor control (such as Parkinson’s disease), addiction, ADHD, and schizophrenia.

Epinephrine and norepinephrine. These two hormones work together in stressful situations to increase blood flow throughout your body. Some of the changes that occur are: 

Additionally, they break down fat and increase blood sugar (glucose) levels to provide your body more energy. 

You may think of adrenaline as a mysterious chemical that makes you focused and strong enough to lift a car. This isn’t far from the truth, but there’s a little more to the story.‌

Fight or flight. When you experience stress, your heartbeat quickens, you start to sweat, and you feel the need to get away. This is the fight-or-flight response, at the heart of which is adrenaline. 

Where epinephrine is produced. Like the other catecholamine hormones, adrenaline is produced in the adrenal glands. Within minutes of experiencing stress, adrenaline is sent into your blood toward other organs to cause certain responses.

Epinephrine’s effects on your body. When adrenaline is released, it causes specific reactions in your body. These are intended to ensure your survival but can be a problem if you aren’t in a stressful situation. Some of the effects of adrenaline include: 

Epinephrine injections.Adrenaline shots are commonly used to treat a life-threatening allergic reaction or anaphylaxis. Epinephrine injection is an injection system that is prefilled with a liquid solution of the hormone epinephrine. 

Treating anaphylaxis. Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction include hives, itching, and swelling. Symptoms of anaphylaxis are much more severe, can be life-threatening, and vary between each occurrence. Some symptoms of anaphylaxis include: 

Epinephrine injection is the first line of treatment for anaphylaxis. Epinephrine's roles regarding blood flow and oxygen intake help fight the symptoms of anaphylaxis. However, epinephrine injection isn’t the final treatment option, and further medical assistance is necessary. 

Norepinephrine (sometimes referred to as noradrenaline) is a neurotransmitter and hormone that responds to stress and low blood pressure. It also plays a role in managing your ability and your ability to focus.‌

Fight or flight. When working alongside adrenaline, norepinephrine supports the fight-or-flight response by increasing your heart rate, breaking down fat, and increasing glucose levels. It gives your brain and body the energy it needs to take action. 

Biorhythms. Norepinephrine works to maintain your sleep-wake cycles. It helps you wake up in the morning, improves your attention, and helps you focus throughout the day. 

Norepinephrine imbalances. An imbalance of norepinephrine (too much or too little) can have an impact on your mental and emotional health. Conditions such as depression, anxiety, addiction, substance abuse, and post-traumatic stress disorder are caused by an imbalance of norepinephrine. 

A surge of norepinephrine can cause feelings of happiness and euphoria. However, a surge can also lead to panic attacks, raised blood pressure, and hyperactivity. A lack of norepinephrine can cause lethargy, fatigue, lack of focus, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and depression. 

You will often find norepinephrine at work treating low blood pressure ( hypotension) due to a life-threatening complication or alongside serotonin in antidepressants. ‌

Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are an antidepressant. SNRIs work by altering the brain chemistry of your serotonin (a “feel good” hormone) and norepinephrine neurotransmitters. This process helps to regulate your mood and relieve depression symptoms. 

Getting norepinephrine naturally. You can help your body and brain produce more serotonin and norepinephrine through exercise, sleep, feeling accomplished, enjoying music, and meditation.