Monkeys move virtual objects with their minds

Nature : An international team of researchers has developed a brain implant that enables monkeys to examine virtual objects by means of a virtual arm controlled by their brain, writes Susan Young for Nature. Miguel Nicolelis of Duke University and coworkers inserted electrodes into the motor cortex and somatosensory cortex brain regions of two monkeys. The monkeys were trained to use only their brain to explore virtual objects on a computer screen by moving a computer cursor or a virtual image of an arm. The electrodes in the motor cortex recorded the monkeys’ intentions to move and relayed that information to the virtual world. As the virtual hand passed over objects on the screen, electrical signals were fed into the animal’s somatosensory cortex, which provided “tactile” feedback. The researchers hope that their technique could eventually help patients who are severely paralyzed to achieve full-body mobility through the use of robotic prosthetics.