New development of neurobiologists allows to "get" images from human memory
Last reviewed: 15.08.2021
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Scientists, neurobiologists, representing the Canadian University of Toronto, came up with a technique for digital reproduction of persons present in human memory.
In the course of the study, the scientists read data from an electroencephalograph connected to volunteers, after preliminary demonstrating to them various images of individuals. The device registered brain oscillations, and a special program of hardware training recreated the person who had previously been shown to the participant.
"At a time when a person sees the image, the brain forms its mental outlines," explains Dan Nemrodov, one of the project leaders, "We managed to register them with the EEG and get a direct image."
The technique of "reproducing images" can apply, both EEG and fMRI. Electroencephalography fixes electrical brain activity by means of electrodes fixed on the patient's head. Functional magnetic resonance imaging involves the use of a magnetic field to assess blood circulation in various parts of the brain. Both the first and second methods have their "pluses" and "minuses", but EEG is used more often - mainly because of the low cost and the ability to make accelerated entries.
"Encephalography can fix millisecond activity, which allows us to consider the smaller details of the image," explains the professor.
Thanks to accurate and detailed results, the specialists were able to share the following information: the human brain in just 170 milliseconds is able to create a high-quality mental image of the person, which he currently sees.
Soon, researchers expect to improve technical equipment. Their goal is to create a virtual reproduction of images fixed in the human brain some time before the examination.
"This technique should help patients who have difficulties in communication. In addition, it can be used during forensic medical examinations to collect the necessary information. Until now, such information consisted only of an oral description of the pictures that the eyewitnesses saw. "
Previously, scientists have already conducted similar experiments, trying to reproduce the visual dynamic images that are formed in the brain when watching video. It was assumed that such a technique in the future should help to view on the monitor hallucinatory visions of mental patients. The study consisted of the use of a magnetic resonance imager, which detailed the cellular activity in various areas of the visual cortex.
The scientists who initiated the experiment themselves took turns to become "test subjects" and placed in the tomograph chamber for several hours in a row.
All the nuances of the research can be found on the website eneuro.org and medicalxpress.com