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where to zap and why If you wanted to use brain stimulation to increase the usefulness of, or decrease the training time for, sensory substitution; where would you stimulate the brain? According to the model developed in today’s reference, it would be more effective to turn up the sound, rather than to stimulate and cause …
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Sensory substitution and brain stimulation In episode 13 we talked about brain stimulation, using electrical and magnetic stimulation of the brain, without having to cut into the skull, in order to improve certain types of skills. Starting in episode 17, we talked about sensory substitution, using one sense to deliver the missing information that would …
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Can you hear what I see? Continuing the subject of sensory substitution, we have the vOICe. In this episode, I explain what it is, how it works, and let you listen in as I do an exercise from the vOICe manual. If you’d like to know more about the vOICe and/or download a free copy …
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Sometimes it goes away Today we have the sad story of the optacon, a cautionary tale that is the reason I prefer the vOICe over the brain port for my sensory substitution needs. Here’s some rather old films that explain what the optacon is, or rather was, and how it works, or rather worked. Optaconmovies …
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do you lick what you see? Today we learn of Paul Bach-y-Rita, and his work with sensory substitution, including the tongue stimulator used to provide visual information to the blind. Here’s a YouTube video about Paul Bach-y-Rita and his work. Paul Bach-y-Rita and Neuroplasticity – YouTube Here’s an article about the tongue stimulator Seeing with …
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can we use one sense for another? If you read the following article, you’ll note that the person using the robotic exoskeleton is getting sensory feedback via his skin. Can we really use one sense in place of another? Paraplegic in robotic suit kicks off World Cup – BBC News
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A different approach In our last episode, we saw attempts to deal with spinal cord injury by use of a robotic suit directed by the subject’s brain. This time, we have a different approach. From monkeys to rats, here is a paralyzed rat that walked. Checkout a roughly fifteen minute tedtalk on the subject. Grégoire …
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A monkey matrix Today, we examine the work of Miguel Nicolelis, who has been researching a computer brain interface. In this article, we learn of how a monkey was able to move a robotic arm with its thoughts. Monkey Think, Robot Do This 15-minute tedtalk covers many years of his work, including how monkeys have …
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juicing up the brain During today’s episode, I became confused as to the date at which thing got published when. I got it now. If only I’d had one of these devices to help. Here’s the first article I read on Allan Snyder’s work, published in 2003. It’s an article in The New York Times, …
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Savant Syndrome Sometimes, extraordinary abilities are demonstrated by those who are extraordinarily limited. The savant syndrome: an extraordinary condition. A synopsis: past, present, future And sometimes, abilities arise from an illness of, or injury to, the brain. Eureka! When a Blow to the Head Creates a Sudden Genius