Neorotecnology Helping Blindness

One of the latest advancements in the field of medical science is the evolution of neurotechnology, an area where latest technological innovations are being used to study the intricacies involved in neuronal system.

Some important neurotechnology devices include CAT scanner, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography or PET. Apart from these, there are certain other advanced technologies that include neural modeling simulations, biological computers and human-brain interfaces that have enabled the possibility of understanding human mind in a better way.

Neurotechnology is also being used in a variety of other applications. One such application is to find probable cure for blindness and enable blind people to recover partial vision. Blindness primarily occurs in humans when the brain is unable to read or store the images sent by the eye. This can happen either when the eye has a problem or when the brain is damaged.

One important discovery in this area has been the production of visual sensations by directly stimulating the visual cortex using multi-electrode devices, thereby creating a visual cortex stimulator. Apart from this, scientists are also using the principles of neurotechnology such as functional MRI in order to precisely identify the mechanism underlying the process of seeing of perceiving an image.

Another major challenge for scientists is to find cure for degenerative eye diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa. Recently, scientists and engineers with the aid of neurotechnology, have developed a device that mimics human eye. Developed by Neurotech, a Rhode Island based biotech firm, this device uses the firm’s patented Encapsulated Cell Technology, where a small porous membrane is filled with genetically modified human retinal cells and is implanted in the eye. These modified retinal cells secrete a protein called ciliary neurotrophic factor that aids in protecting the eye.

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Neorotecnology Helping Blindness