Neurotechnology: what it is, applications – Iberdrola

You wake up in the morning and think about having some chocolate scones for breakfast. As soon as you visualise the sweets in your head, your mobile phone sends you a notification: "Craving detected, wouldn't you rather eat something healthier? It sounds like science fiction, but it is just one of the countless applications that neurotechnology will bring us in the coming decades.

Neurotechnology encompasses all technologies developed to understand the brain, visualise its processes and even control, repair or improve its functions. Although electroencephalography is almost a century old, the first major breakthrough in this field has come in recent decades with brain imaging using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. This technique, among other things, has allowed researchers to identify which areas of the brain are activated or deactivated during certain tasks.

From there, neurotechnology has reached other areas that normally go unnoticed, ranging from the development of drugs to treat mental disorders such as depression, insomnia or attention deficit disorder, to technologies dedicated to neurological rehabilitation after cerebrovascular accidents or to hearing recovery with cochlear implants. And this, as we shall see below, has only just begun.

Neurotechnology uses different techniques to record brain activity and stimulate parts of the brain at will. Non-invasive techniques are those that allow action from the outside, while invasive techniques require the implantation of electrodes through surgery.

Among those dedicated to recording brain activity are:

In terms of techniques to stimulate the brain, these are the most commonly used:

Neurotechnology is related to cognitive technologies. According to consulting firm Deloitte, these are technologies derived from artificial intelligence that allow tasks to be performed that previously could only be done by humans. Some examples are artificial vision, machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing or robotic process automation, among others.

In particular, the data obtained on the functioning of the brain is used to develop artificial neural networks. For example, the aforementioned machine vision can be used to identify a person's emotions by analysing their facial expressions. In addition, the use of these technologies will also enable further development of neurodidactics, thus improving learning methods and processes.

Below, we review some of the most recent applications:

Using real-time EEG or fMRI, someone can be taught to control their central nervous functions, such as heartbeat.

Behavioural and molecular neuropharmacology are benefiting from a better understanding of the nervous system to develop more effective drugs.

These devices are able to replace motor, sensory or cognitive abilities damaged as a result of injury or disease.

Brain-computer interfaces are fundamental in the development of new sensors and prostheses, allowing signals to be sent and received in real time.

The combination of neurotechnology, genetics and optogenetics allows specific genes in neural tissue to be switched on or off using focused light.

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Neurotechnology: what it is, applications - Iberdrola