He stayed calm by breathing smoothly and transporting himself to memories, such as walking his daughter to school through the snow.
9. How did she control a robotic arm?
She had a device implanted in her motor cortex. Wires sent her brain signals to computers, which then controlled a robotic arm she could move with her thoughts.
5. Why is mapping the brain difficult?
Because the brain is unbelievably complex—even mapping a piece of mouse brain the size of a grain of salt produces as much data as 25,000 HD movies, and a human
4. What does diffusion spectrum imaging show?
It shows the nerve fibers that form pathways in the brain, revealing how different parts are connected.
6. What is the Allen Brain Atlas?
It is a map of genes active in the brain, created by scanning donated human brains, slicing them into thin layers, and revealing which genes are switched on in
3. What technique did Wedeen use?
He used diffusion spectrum imaging, which translates radio signals given off by the brain.
7. How many human brains have been mapped so far?
So far, researchers have mapped six human brains.
1. Where did the author get his brain scanned?
At the Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging in Boston, Massachusetts.
10. What is the future potential of brain implants?
Scientists hope they will become powerful, safe, and common, helping people with paralysis regain movement, speech, and independence—possibly as common as heart
8. Who was Cathy Hutchinson?
She was a woman who suffered a massive stroke at age 43, leaving her almost completely paralyzed and unable to speak.
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