Ep 3. Wired Brain

In this episode of Dean of Invention, host Dean Kamen and correspondent Jo Ling Kent explore the cutting-edge technologies that are revolutionizing the field of neuroscience. Titled Wired Brain, the episode delves into the ways in which scientists are using brain-machine interfaces and other innovative devices to help people overcome injuries and disabilities, as well as enhance their cognitive abilities.

As the episode begins, Kamen and Kent visit the Cleveland Clinic, where they witness a groundbreaking procedure in which electrodes are implanted directly into a patient's brain. The aim of this procedure is to allow the patient, who has been paralyzed since a spinal cord injury, to control a robotic arm with his thoughts. Kamen and Kent speak with the doctors and scientists who have developed this technology, asking them about the challenges and potential benefits of brain-machine interfaces.

The episode then shifts its focus to the world of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), which use EEG or fMRI technology to read brain activity and translate it into computer commands. Kamen and Kent visit Dr. Jonathan Wolpaw at the NY State Department of Health to see how his team is using BCIs to help patients with ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease. Through a series of simple computer games, patients can use their thoughts to control a cursor or even type out messages, giving them a degree of independence that was previously impossible.

Next, Kamen and Kent head to the offices of Emotiv, a company that has developed a consumer-grade EEG headset, which allows users to control video games and other applications with their thoughts. The Emotiv headset is still in the early stages of development, and Kamen and Kent speak with the company's CEO, Tan Le, about the obstacles that still need to be overcome before BCIs become widely available to the public.

After exploring the potential of brain-machine interfaces, Kamen and Kent turn their attention to a different kind of brain technology: transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). TMS uses magnetic fields to stimulate regions of the brain, and has been shown to have therapeutic effects on conditions such as depression and chronic pain. Kamen and Kent visit Dr. Mark George at the Medical University of South Carolina, where they witness a patient receiving TMS therapy for depression.

Finally, Kamen and Kent explore the world of cognitive enhancement, investigating the use of neurofeedback training to improve memory and concentration. They visit a neurofeedback clinic in New York City, where they meet a young woman who is using neurofeedback to prepare for the LSAT exam. Kamen and Kent speak with Dr. Michael Weisend, a neuroscientist who is skeptical about the effectiveness of neurofeedback, as well as Dr. Barry Sterman, a pioneer in the field who has been researching neurofeedback for over 50 years.

Wired Brain is a fascinating look at the ways in which science and technology are coming together to expand our understanding of the human brain. Through a series of interviews with leading researchers and a series of eye-opening demonstrations, the episode provides a glimpse into a future where our minds and machines are more closely intertwined than ever before. Whether you're interested in neuroscience, computer science, or just how the human brain works, this episode is sure to be a thought-provoking and enlightening experience.