The RAM (Restoring Active Memory) project is one of the most
innovative, as well as life altering projects that DARPA is working on.
The people at DARPA want to create a brain implant for soldiers that
will recover their memories in the case of serious head injury. The idea
is to install the implant onto the soldier’s brain early on to record
memories as they happen. In case of any serious injury to the head or
brain which can cause memory loss, the memories can be recovered from
the chip like a system restore.
Currently DARPA is working with companies that have experience
working with brain implants. One of these is Medtronic, which has been
working on people affected by Parkinson’s by treating them via electric
signals sent to the brain. The task at hand is not an easy one and
requires a lot more time before it can come close to reality. The first
step involved will require an understanding of the signals sent to the
brain that make memories.
Scientists have just recently discovered how to study these signals
and where they come from. Currently, we know that memory formation
starts with mRNA proteins that cause neurons to join, resulting in
connections that create memories. The implant that DARPA plans on
creating will have to differentiate between signals, interpret them,
record the whole process and play back the connections.
Once this technology becomes real, it will change our lives. People
could just “learn” any new skill or piece of information by downloading
it from a database directly into their brains. The technology could also
be helpful in the field of medicine where patients with memory loss are
dealt with (such as Alzheimer’s), and improve their lives. The future
in this field is pretty exciting, Isn’t it?
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