• Question: What's a neural electrode

    Asked by Lonely child to Chris, Gina, Tom on 14 Jun 2017. This question was also asked by charles :-).
    • Photo: Christopher Bullock

      Christopher Bullock answered on 14 Jun 2017:


      A neuroelectrode is basically a piece of technology that connects our nerves (including the brain) to external electronics. We can use them to both stimulate nerves (which can be used to treat certain diseases like Parkinson’s) and to sense what the nerves are doing (this can be used to understand diseases better). The most advanced types of neuroelectrodes can do both of these things, sensing and stimulating, and are called brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). In theory, these can be used to do things like connect the brain to robotic arms so that you could have a prosthetic that you control with your mind and you can actually feel what the arm is touching – just like the real thing!

      Neuroelectrodes have a lot of potential uses in medicine and they are being used more and more.

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