Neurotransmitters are a vital part of neurological science. They are responsible for sending nerve signals across a synapse between two neurons. Brain-machine signaling has gained much use in science. However, this mechanism of the brain-machine interface usually relies on electrical signals to transmit or interpret neurological information. In the human body and other biological systems, neurotransmitters are chemical-based messengers. This mismatch of different circuitry means has posed a challenge and can cause incorrect transmission or interpretation of the neurological information.
Artificial Neuron. Credit: Nature Electronics
Read Also: Neuronal Traffic Jams Explained Using Isogeometric Analysis-Based Models
A new study aimed to create a better brain-machine interface reports the use of chemically mediated artificial neurons that can collect and give out dopamine. Scientists developed the artificial neuron with chemical properties to allow dual medium transmission between the brain and machines.
Discovery presents significant potential in artificial neurological studies
The one-way electrical signaling of most machine-brain interfaces has limited the application of advanced communication between both mediums. The electrical signals generated by the brain are only read and interpreted by the machines without a response sent back to the brain. The new study focused on creating an interface between the brain and devices that permit bidirectional communication. More importantly, the interface was built on a chemical medium rather than electrical as widely used.
The scientists built an artificial neuron that can detect dopamine presence and also release dopamine in response to signaling. The neuron had graphene particles and a carbon-based nanotube electrode. A sensor that can detect the presence of neurotransmitters was added to the artificial neuron. To release dopamine, the scientists used a device called a memristor. The applied memristor can release dopamine in the presence of heat. The neurotransmitter was released by a water gel attached to another part of the artificial neuron.
In testing the artificial neuron’s ability, the scientists examined brain cells from rats using a petri dish. The newly developed neuron detected the presence and response to dopamine from the rats’ brain cells. It also produced dopamine that evoked a reaction in the rat brain cells.
Read Also: Scientists’ Newest Discovery Gives Greater Insight into the World of Neuronal Communication
Like the natural brain cells, the artificial neurons can be programmed to generate and transmit varying quantities of dopamine depending on the signaling. Although still in its early stages, the discovery provides a significant potential for artificial brain signaling and various uses in neurological and robotic sciences.
Clinical significance
The use of an artificial neuron with dopamine reception and release properties has limitless applications clinically. The current findings can prove beneficial in prosthetic devices for better feedback between the brain and machine interface. Although still in its early stages, there could be possibilities of artificial neurons with biological features replacing natural brain cells that have become diseased.
Read Also: Brain Implants: Elon Musk’s Neuralink Project Has Scientists Very Worried
Conclusion
Brain-machine interface has gained much attention in neurology. However, it has faced many hindrances due to the mechanism of electrical transmission. This new study, with its two-way chemical transmission means, presents a significant potential for developing better brain-machine devices designed for the efficiency of chemical signaling.
References
A chemically mediated artificial neuron
FEEDBACK: