If we can record the activity of the electrical signal of the central nervous system output by brain movement and understand the corresponding relationship between its signal characteristics and movement patterns, we can directly control the external equipment to make corresponding actions through EEG. In this way, paraplegic patients can use EEG signals to control different mechanical and electronic devices and complete different daily activities. This technology is often called brain-computer interface.
On the other hand, when neurons receive electrical stimulation signals from electrodes, they can be activated or their activities can be inhibited. This process is generally called regulation. Through nerve electrodes, specific areas of the brain or peripheral nerves can be electrically stimulated to inhibit abnormal nerve release, which can be used to treat diseases such as Parkinson's disease or chronic pain. Visual and auditory modulation coded signals can also be used to stimulate visual nerves and auditory nerves to partially repair damaged hearing and vision. This technology is often called cochlear implant or artificial retina.
These are just some clinical applications. In fact, researchers have achieved many incredible functions on animals by using microelectrodes in the laboratory. For example, the research team of Zhejiang University in China has done a lot of work to control the left-right steering and forward movement of rats by implanting stimulation electrodes in their heads, so as to control the movement trajectory of rats and realize the function of rat robots. In addition, others have greatly improved the learning ability of rats by combining recording and stimulating electrodes implanted in the brain with artificial intelligence. ?
Both the recording electrode used in the brain-computer interface and the stimulating electrode used in the cochlear implant are used to realize the signal exchange and transmission between the nervous system and the external electronic system, so the nerve electrode is also an important tool for neuroscientists to understand the activities of the nervous system and study the working mechanism of the brain.
However, because the manufacturing process of microelectrodes is very demanding, most of the products used in China are bought from abroad. Fortunately, in recent years, some excellent domestic company teams are also developing products in this field, such as the stimulation electrode used by Tsinghua's team in the clinical treatment of nervous system diseases, and the multi-channel microfilament electrode array (recording electrode and stimulation electrode) developed by Zheng Da's team (Ko Dou Brain Computer) for large and small animals. I believe that with the gradual improvement of China's overall scientific research ability, especially the recently proposed brain science plan, there will be more and more such products and companies in the future.