This monkeys gone to heaven

A group of scientists created a novel brain implant that improves cognitive performance and decision-making in a monkey. The device, developed in part by researchers at USC, manipulates ongoing brain activity to guide the animal away from mistakes and toward a correct decision.

Experiments with normal monkeys showed an instant 10% improvement on tests. To be sure, researchers took a group of monkeys that were introduced to cocaine (known to impair decision-making abilities), then repeated the experiment and found:

 Even though the monkeys had been performing more poorly after cocaine usage, their performance suddenly jumped back above normal when the stimulator was turned on. [via]

While prompting more questions, but giving hope to those interested in developing assistive brain prosthetics for patients with neurodegenerative diseases, this study is the 1st “successful application of neuroprosthesis in the primate brain designed specifically to restore or repair the disrupted cognitive function.” Or in other words, ABD.

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