From AI to the Living Computer: The Technologies Driving the Future of Neuroscience

Our understanding of the brain has come a long way since the times of ancient Egypt, when the heart was believed to be the seat of emotion, insight, and moral reasoning. Even Aristotle was completely wrong – he too believed that the heart was the center of sensory perception and intellect, while the brain merely acted as a cooler to cool the heart’s hot blood.

Obviously, this theory has not stood the test of time and since then things have evolved dramatically over the centuries.

We now know that the brain, spinal cord and nerves form an integrated network of connections – the nervous system – with “neuroscience” being the scientific study behind how this complex system controls everything from movement and memory to emotions and disease.

This knowledge has opened the door to significant advances in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders that have changed the lives of many people for the better.

But we still have a long way to go – there is still no cure for dementia;…