NEW MRI CAN READ YOUR MIND

Posted on September 6, 2009 by Jeffrey Newman

Scientists at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh have developed a new way to meld MRI imaging technology and computer algorithms to read the images of what a person sees in their brain. The Functional MRI or FMRI interprets the electrical brain patterns and can translate them into the objects they represent. For example, a person is asked to think of different objects like igloo, hammer and the new process can “see” what that object is just from reading the brain images. Neuroscientist Marcel Just sees tremendous potential for this technology including use with coma victims and individuals unable to respond due to injuries as well as the evential direct mind-computer connection which would enable users to tap directly into computers from their brain. In addition direct connections to video games and ultimately thought reading between people are not outside the realm of probability.