Posted by Eugene Volokh:
"Visual Image Reconstruction from Human Brain Activity":
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2008_12_07-2008_12_13.shtml#1229116617
As best I can tell, this [1]article in Neuron reports that an MRI can
be used to determine what the subject is currently seeing, based on
several hundred past MRIs done when the subject saw different random
images. [2]Pink TTentacle reports further:
The scientists were able to reconstruct various images viewed by a
person by analyzing changes in their cerebral blood flow. Using a
functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) machine, the
researchers first mapped the blood flow changes that occurred in
the cerebral visual cortex as subjects viewed various images held
in front of their eyes. Subjects were shown 400 random 10 x 10
pixel black-and-white images for a period of 12 seconds each. While
the fMRI machine monitored the changes in brain activity, a
computer crunched the data and learned to associate the various
changes in brain activity with the different image designs.
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.
Possible applications:
According to the researchers, further development of the technology
may soon make it possible to view other people�s dreams while they
sleep....
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....
Cool and scary. Thanks to my friend Haym Hirsh for the pointer, and to
David Byrne for the [3]mental soundtrack.
References
1. http://www.cell.com/neuron/abstract/S0896-6273(08)00958-6
2.
http://www.pinktentacle.com/2008/12/scientists-extract-images-directly-from-brain/
3. http://edit.mp3lyrics.org/d/david-byrne/the-dream-police-cha-cha-cha/
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