Scientists ‘Mind Control’ Mice With Electromagnetic Pulses in World First
Elon Musk’s company neuralink is making strides with regards to implanted brain augmentation that lets the user control computer interfaces with their mind. However, a new study might be nightmare fuel for some, as scientists were able to do the opposite: control mice with the flick of a switch.
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00:00Elon Musk's company, Neuralink, is making strides with regards to implanted brain augmentation.
00:09It lets the user control computer interfaces with their mind.
00:12However, a new study might be nightmare fuel for some, as scientists were able to do the
00:16opposite, control mice with the flick of a switch.
00:20The mice were engineered with nanoparticle activated switches in their brains.
00:24This is a far cry from previous mind control experiments, ones where surgically implanted
00:28electrodes were required.
00:30This new experiment didn't need any of that, with the researchers simply engineering the
00:34mice and then turning on a magnetic field.
00:37The researchers say they were able to enhance the natural behaviors of mother mice, with
00:41the females reacting more quickly and intensely to the cries of baby mice.
00:45Amongst mice who were introduced to strangers, they found when the magnetic field was washing
00:49over their brains, they were friendlier.
00:51Researchers were also able to turn on or off a mouse's hunger response.
00:55They're calling the tech Magnetogenic Interface for Neurodynamics, or Nanomind for short,
01:00with the study's senior author saying, this is the world's first technology to freely
01:04control specific brain regions using magnetic fields.