4 ms·
That makes sense, but as you say, the clean cut might not help the mapping problem. Even if you can somehow figure out which ones belong where that must be some
by shiggerino 12y ago
That makes sense, but as you say, the clean cut might not help the mapping problem. Even if you can somehow figure out which ones belong where that must be some very challenging microsurgery.
Maybe it would be possible to make a electronic, prosthetic section of spine that can be reconfigured on the fly, a bit like an FPGA, that might be useful for both injuries (where a damaged section needs to be replaced) and clean cuts with unknown mapping. Unfortunately these kinds of brain-computer interfaces seem prone to scarring, weakening the signal over time.
- david-given 12y agoIt's probably easier to just let them hook up randomly and then stimulate the brain into relearning the mappings. Infants do this as a matter of course (that's what a lot of the random flailing babies do is for). An adult brain may need a substantial amount of chemical help, though. Ah, here's a short article on the work with rats: http://www.iflscience.com/brain/new-drug-boosts-nerve-regrowth-rats-spinal-cord-injuries http://www.iflscience.com/brain/new-drug-boosts-nerve-regrow...