BRAIN-MACHINE INTERFACE

Posted on January 26, 2012 by admin

BRAIN MACHINE INTERFACE

A brain-machine interface (BMI) is an attempt to mesh our minds with machines. It is a communication channel from a human’s brain to a computer, which does not resort to the usual human output pathways as muscles. It is about giving machine-like capabilities to intelligence, asking the brain to accommodate synthetic devices, and learning how to control those devices much the way we control our arms and legs today. These experiments lend hope that people with spinal injuries will be able to someday use their brain to control a prosthetic limb, or even their own arm. A BMI could, e.g., allow a paralyzed patient to convey her/his intentions to a computer program. But also applications in which healthy users can benefit from the direct brain computer communication are conceivable, e.g., to speed up reaction times. Initially theses interactions are with peripheral devices, but ultimately it may be interaction with another brain.

THE HUMAN BRAIN

All of it happens in the brain. The brain is undoubtly the most complex organ found among the carbon-based life forms. So complex it is that we have only vague information about how it works. The average human brain weights around 1400 grams. The most relevant part of brain concerning BMI’s is the cerebral cortex. The cerebral cortex can be divided into two hemispheres. The hemispheres are connected with each other via corpus callosum. Each hemisphere can be divided into four lobes. They are called frontal, parietal, occipital and temporal lobes. Cerebral cortex is responsible for many higher order functions like problem solving, language comprehension and processing of complex visual information. The cerebral cortex can be divided into several areas, which are responsible of different functions. This kind of knowledge has been used when with BCI’s based on the pattern recognition approach. The mental tasks are chosen in such a way that they activate different parts of the cerebral cortex.

 

CONCLUSION

 

Cultures may have diverse ethics, but regardless, individual liberties and human life are always valued over and above machines. What happens when humans merge with machines? The question is not what will the computer be like in the future, but instead, what will we be like? What kind of people are we becoming?

BMI’s will have the ability to give people back their vision and hearing. They will also change the way a person looks at the world. Someday these devices might be more common than keyboards. Is someone with a synthetic eye, less a person than someone without? Shall we process signals like ultraviolet, X-rays, or ultrasounds as robots do? These questions will not be answered in the near future, but at some time they will have to be answered. What an interesting day that will be.

THE HUMAN BRAIN

All of it happens in the brain. The brain is undoubtly the most complex organ found among the carbon-based life forms. So complex it is that we have only vague information about how it works. The average human brain weights around 1400 grams. The most relevant part of brain concerning BMI’s is the cerebral cortex. The cerebral cortex can be divided into two hemispheres. The hemispheres are connected with each other via corpus callosum. Each hemisphere can be divided into four lobes. They are called frontal, parietal, occipital and temporal lobes. Cerebral cortex is responsible for many higher order functions like problem solving, language comprehension and processing of complex visual information. The cerebral cortex can be divided into several areas, which are responsible of different functions. This kind of knowledge has been used when with BCI’s based on the pattern recognition approach. The mental tasks are chosen in such a way that they activate different parts of the cerebral cortex. 

CONCLUSION

 Cultures may have diverse ethics, but regardless, individual liberties and human life are always valued over and above machines. What happens when humans merge with machines? The question is not what will the computer be like in the future, but instead, what will we be like? What kind of people are we becoming?BMI’s will have the ability to give people back their vision and hearing. They will also change the way a person looks at the world. Someday these devices might be more common than keyboards. Is someone with a synthetic eye, less a person than someone without? Shall we process signals like ultraviolet, X-rays, or ultrasounds as robots do? These questions will not be answered in the near future, but at some time they will have to be answered. What an interesting day that will be.

 

Posted in Travel human brain | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Brain Tumor-Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

Posted on January 26, 2012 by admin

Brain tumor is can be either gentle or evil kind of its kind. It is an uncontrolled and irregular activity of cell that common occurs in the brain, cranial nerves, pineal glands brain envelopes and even metastasize in other organ.

Just like any other form of cancers, brain tumor can spread and propagate to any other parts of the body. Even before the brain tumor proliferates, or metastasize as a medical doctor or an oncologist would say it, the tumor could cause disorder in the brain.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a brain tumor can easily be mistaken for any number of diseases. Early detection is your best chance for survival.

Headaches are the most common initial symptom. Generally, brain tumor headaches start out the worse in the morning, getting better as the day continues. You may experience problems with memory, especially short term memory, speech, communication or have concentration issues. Mass effect is caused by the increased pressure of the tumor. It swells the brain, causing it to build up a soft liquid. More specific focal symptoms also occur and can often be used to identify the location of the brain tumor. These include hearing ringing or buzzing sounds or complete hearing loss, decreased muscular control and lack of coordination.

Diagnosis

Angiogram – a particular dye is injected to the bloodstream and runs in the blood vessels inside the brain in order for them to appear on x-ray. If a growth is present, it can be seen by the doctor.

Skull x-ray – various forms of brain cancers cause calcium growth inside the brain or changes on the bones in the skull. Through x-ray, changes can be checked.

Biopsy – it is the removal of sample of tissue to search for cancer cells. The pathologist examines the cells under the microscope in order to verify abnormal cells.

Treatment

Brain tumor treatment usually includes radiation therapy, surgery and chemotherapy. But the treatment will vary depending on various factors involve such as the tumor’s size, type, location and the over-all health condition and age of the patient. The program and treatment process for adults and children usually varies. Radiotherapy or radiation therapy or even sometimes called as radiation oncology is a treatment for brain tumor. Damage brain cells are being stop from increasing by the use of radiation.

Posted in health brain tumor | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Online Computer Games: Train Young Brain

Posted on January 24, 2012 by admin

Although there seems to be conflicting opinions over the beneficial aspects of computer games for children, the fact remains that many computer games enable children to develop their thought processes. There are particular games which really get kids to think such as word games. Word games come in a variety of types including crossword puzzles or Scrabble-type games. These games are ones that produce no harmful effects for the children and help them to improve their vocabulary while having fun.

Some Games Help Children with Their Spelling

There are many skills children can improve upon by playing computer games. One skill in particular which children can improve upon by practicing is that of spelling. Many computer games focus on words and vocabulary which help children learn how to spell a variety of words and improve their spelling on the words which they already know. Spelling is an important part of an individual’s life and improving this skill at a young age will make a big difference.

One game in particular which will help children improve their spelling is online Scrabble. This entertaining game is one which makes children spell words and use their minds to come up with new words. There are varying levels of Scrabble which one may increase each time that they play this game online. Spelling skills are definitely ones which can improve through the use of online games.

Aid in Improving Problem Solving Skills

Good problem solving skills are important for individuals of all ages but especially children. Improving problem solving skills can be done in a number of ways and one way in particular where individuals can work on their problem solving skills is by playing logic games and other thought provoking computer games. Playing these types of games online are beneficial for a few different reasons. First, the child who plays these games online can do so alone and does not have to have another individual to compete against, as the computer will provide automated competitors. Secondly, one who plays games such as these online versions will find that there are a number of different games to choose from and one can always locate a new game to play should they complete the one which they are currently working on.

Posted in Travel fun brain | Tagged , , | Leave a comment