Posted on 12/12/2008 9:57:49 AM PST by LibWhacker
Researchers from Japan’s ATR Computational Neuroscience Laboratories have developed new brain analysis technology that can reconstruct the images inside a person’s mind and display them on a computer monitor, it was announced on December 11. According to the researchers, further development of the technology may soon make it possible to view other people’s dreams while they sleep.
The scientists were able to reconstruct various images viewed by a person by analyzing changes in their cerebral blood flow. Using a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) machine, the researchers first mapped the blood flow changes that occurred in the cerebral visual cortex as subjects viewed various images held in front of their eyes. Subjects were shown 400 random 10 x 10 pixel black-and-white images for a period of 12 seconds each. While the fMRI machine monitored the changes in brain activity, a computer crunched the data and learned to associate the various changes in brain activity with the different image designs.
Then, when the test subjects were shown a completely new set of images, such as the letters N-E-U-R-O-N, the system was able to reconstruct and display what the test subjects were viewing based solely on their brain activity.
For now, the system is only able to reproduce simple black-and-white images. But Dr. Kang Cheng, a researcher from the RIKEN Brain Science Institute, suggests that improving the measurement accuracy will make it possible to reproduce images in color.
“These results are a breakthrough in terms of understanding brain activity,” says Dr. Cheng. “In as little as 10 years, advances in this field of research may make it possible to read a person’s thoughts with some degree of accuracy.”
The researchers suggest a future version of this technology could be applied in the fields of art and design — particularly if it becomes possible to quickly and accurately access images existing inside an artist’s head. The technology might also lead to new treatments for conditions such as psychiatric disorders involving hallucinations, by providing doctors a direct window into the mind of the patient.
ATR chief researcher Yukiyasu Kamitani says, “This technology can also be applied to senses other than vision. In the future, it may also become possible to read feelings and complicated emotional states.”
The research results appear in the December 11 issue of US science journal Neuron.
You’re thinking this is hogwash.
Then why the heck does she always ask "what are you thinking about?" and get PO'ed when I say "nothing"? Women don't understand that we men have a big "nothing" section in our brain where we like to spend a lot of time.
Calling Johnny Mnemonic.
Why not also have the test subjects concentrate on something (like a memory about the family house growing up).
The level of detail in such a thought may not be as crisp as when a viewer is looking at letters on a screen.
This is something that must be accomplished before you can start to “watch” dreams.
Reminds me of those bad X-men movies (which are used as an allegory about homosexuality).
The poor mutants (none of whom share mutant traits even when they are related) impersonate people, invade the privacy of peoples' minds, etc. All in the name of their own agenda to be "accepted" as "normal". Your own rights don't matter to them.
Are they jpg files?
Jerry: Louise! That's what's doin' it. You're no longer pre-occupied with sex, so your mind is able to focus.
George: You think?
Jerry: Yeah. I mean, let's say this is your brain. (Holds lettuce head) Okay, from what I know about you, your brain consists of two parts: the intellect, represented here (Pulls off tiny piece of lettuce), and the part obsessed with sex. (Shows large piece) Now granted, you have extracted an astonishing amount from this little scrap. But with no-sex-Louise, this previously useless lump, is now functioning for the first time in its existence. (Eats tiny piece of lettuce)
George: Oh my God. I just remembered where I left my retainer in second grade. I'll see ya. (He throws finished Rubik's cube to Jerry and he exits. Kramer enters...) < /Seinfeld >
cool technology ping
That’s because women like to share their ‘feelings and emotions’ with each other. They get disgusted with us men because we refuse be as ‘open’ as their girlfriends are.
I tell my wife that the tiny bit she doesn’t know about me is proof that men are better than women and she should bow as I enter the room. Her instant reply is that I should kiss her butt. I told her I will but only if she will allow me to show my subservience to her in Macy’s storefront window. So far she hasn’t allowed that. As a matter of fact she won’t go anywhere near a Macy’s store when I am with her. I wonder why? Does she think I would wrestle her out of the truck and carry her into the store so I could lift her skirt and kiss her cute little rear end in front of an applauding crowd?
I wish it were in final form now so we could hook it up to Obama, then everybody would know he’s just your run-of-the-mill Chicago political thug.
The movie you are looking for is "Brainstorm" starring Christopher Walken, and Natalie Wood in her last movie (she died near the end of filming this one).
“OK, so what am I thinking right now?”
You’re thinking you wished you had worn your tin foil hat today. :)
“Dreams are fascinating things.”
IMO, dreams are a jigsaw puzzle that holds all of the answers to what ails (metaphorically) us. I use dream books...for now. lol
“If you’ve been married ten years or more, your wife knows exactly what you are thinking 90% of the day and 95% of the night.”
Exactly the opposite here. It drives her nuts, too. Sometimes she’ll try to lie, just to prove me wrong, but later, the truth comes out. LOL
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