Downloading skills to the brain

Ask its doubters, and the only thing that tDCS is good at is giving people a nasty electrical burn. At the turn of the last century, Drs. They carefully placed two electrodes over motor regions of the brain, using gel to ensure full contact with the scalp. This generates a weak electrical current — about 1 or 2 milliamps, low enough to be powered by a 9-volt battery.

Almost all later studies followed this protocol, including the aforementioned flight simulator study. The tDCS current itself is too weak to activate neurons; instead it changes the ability of neurons to respond to stimuli, such as learning a new task.

There are two types of stimulation: anodal stimulation primes neurons to be more excitable and thus more likely to fire, boosting signal; cathodal stimulation makes it harder for neurons to fire, decreasing noise.

In this way, tDCS can modulate the signal-to-noise ratio in a select brain region and tweak information processing. At the same time, the current jolts plasticity-related molecules into action in neurons, changing their ability to respond to neurotransmitters.

But it goes even deeper than that. This causes neurons to pump out more BDNF brain-derived neurotrophic factor , a major vitality-boosting protein that promotes synaptic plasticity and the birth of new neurons and nurtures the brain. These molecular changes could be why tDCS has long-lasting effects that linger for weeks, suggested the authors in their paper.

The current only flows in superficial layers of the cortex, rarely reaching deeper brain regions such as the hippocampus, a central hub for learning and memory. Gajitz brings you the latest and greatest gadgets, sensational scientific discoveries and innovative new technologies from around the world to educate, entertain and inspire as well as fascinating retro and vintage designs.

See more in Weird Science or under Science. December , Media is reporting that researchers have found a way to "upload knowledge to your brain.

Some are reporting that the technique is similar to that seen in ' The Matrix ,' in which Keanu Reeves learns 'Kung-Fu' soon after a program is uploaded directly into his brain through a terminal. In reality, the recent research shows that it may be possible to enhance a human's existing ability to learn new skills, but to upload any particular skill or talent directly into a person via brain waves is outside the scope of the study.

Using tDCS technique, the researchers excited certain areas in the human brain that are responsible for learning and skill retention. During their experiment, the researchers first monitored the brain waves of 6 commercial as well as military pilots and then transmitted those patterns into 32 newbies who were learning to pilot an aeroplane in a flight simulator.