| Funded by a special grant offered by the | | | | emotional problems. It has been a long |
| Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Research on | | | | journey to begin the daunting task of |
| Human Development, Dr. Robert Boyle and Dr. | | | | understanding the influences governing brain |
| Issac Potter began doing clinical research to | | | | development, however, we our making great |
| understand the underlying causes of | | | | strides." |
| behavioral and emotional disorders in | | | | |
| children, adolescents as well as adults. This | | | | The pair of researchers having completed |
| research included the use of neurobics on | | | | their work with behavioral and emotional |
| depressed and attention deficit disordered | | | | disorders continued to collaborate and are |
| patients. "Brain cells learn by literally | | | | currently developing a new direct neural |
| making new connections with one another. For | | | | interface which will be used to connect the |
| a long time, it was assumed that these | | | | human brain to a computer. "The neural |
| connections could only be established during | | | | interface will communicate through an |
| youth. But new scientific evidence shows the | | | | artificial neural network by infrared data |
| opposite: Even quite late in life, the brain | | | | transmission". Dr Boyle also explains that |
| has quite a lot of residual capacity to | | | | this new research, although considered by |
| reorganize and "rewire" itself" Dr. Boyle | | | | some controversial, "can quickly be used for |
| Explains. "This is because most of area of | | | | treating illness and disability experienced |
| our brain is devoted to processing sensory | | | | by everyday people". He continues, "Like any |
| inputs, we felt that this was a unique way to | | | | new technology, neurotechnology represents |
| tackle these emotional problems". Neurobics | | | | both promises and problems. On the upside, |
| are based upon the latest scientific research | | | | neurotechnology represents new cures for |
| from leading neurobiology labs around the | | | | mental illness, new opportunities for |
| world. These mental exercises were developed | | | | economic growth and a potential flowering of |
| to use the full range of senses which can | | | | artistic expression. These benefits are |
| often be marginalized by modern conveniences. | | | | countered by the potential use of |
| This stimulus helps to forge new connections | | | | neurotechnology for coercive purposes such as |
| among the different sensory structures of the | | | | mind control, or its use as neuroweapons that |
| brain thus increasing ones abilities to | | | | can selectively erase or implant memories. |
| concentrate and focus. Dr. Potter contends | | | | Of course there are very stringent guidelines |
| that "this breakthrough will undoubtedly one | | | | that we must follow and our research is |
| day take form of a new treatment regimen for | | | | primarily focused on the more beneficial |
| those suffering from many of today's | | | | aspects. |