Then, when the test
subjects were shown a completely new set of images, such as the
letters N-E-U-R-O-N, the system was able to reconstruct and display
what the test subjects were viewing based solely on their brain
activity.
For now, the system
is only able to reproduce simple black-and-white images. But Dr.
Kang Cheng, a researcher from the RIKEN Brain Science Institute,
suggests that improving the measurement accuracy will make it
possible to reproduce images in color.
“These results are a
breakthrough in terms of understanding brain activity,” says Dr.
Cheng. “In as little as 10 years, advances in this field of
research may make it possible to read a person’s thoughts with some
degree of accuracy.”
The researchers
suggest a future version of this technology could be applied in the
fields of art and design — particularly if it becomes possible to
quickly and accurately access images existing inside an artist’s
head. The technology might also lead to new treatments for
conditions such as psychiatric disorders involving hallucinations,
by providing doctors a direct window into the mind of the
patient.
ATR chief researcher
Yukiyasu Kamitani says, “This technology can also be applied to
senses other than vision. In the future, it may also become
possible to read feelings and complicated emotional states.”
The research results
appear in the December 11 issue of US science journal Neuron.
[Source:
Chunichi]