Synthetic brain cells—equal to your own?

(This article is Part-1 in a series; for Part-2, go here.)

Not yet. But researcher are busy.

Turns out this is a whole burgeoning field of study. Not just a sci-fi fantasy.

“We’re making progress in treating patients who have brain injuries and diseases.”

That’s the major research declaration. But looking behind the curtain reveals more.

ONE: Attempts to build hybrid neural systems which combine natural biological and synthetic elements.

TWO: Using stem cells to create artificial neurons that can one day replace natural brain cells.

THREE: Making electronic circuits that mimic natural brain circuits.

FOUR: Producing brain chips that can “interface” with natural neurons.

A 2019 study in Nature Communications described the creation of artificial neurons which mimic the electrical activity of biological natural neurons. [Nature Communications, 2019, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11997-4.]

FIVE: Attempts to build chips that process information just as the human brain does. [IBM’s TrueNorth chip, Intel’s Loihi chip]

Obviously, there are two far-reaching goals here, in all this research. Establish complete compatibility between synthetic and human brain elements; and replace natural brains with synthetic ones.

You think I’m exaggerating with that second goal?