Scientists have developed an algorithm that can read human thoughts using data from MRI machines. It was stated that the study could lay the groundwork for brain-computer interfaces that are expected to enter our lives in the future.
MRI, which stands for magnetic resonance imagingIt is frequently used in the field of medicine to view the internal structure of living things. This method is preferred in situations where it is difficult to observe from the outside in our body and plays an important role in some diseases and treatments.
Now, a study published on bioRxiv reveals that scientists have made a significant improvement using an MRI machine. Accordingly, researchers at the University of Texas in the USA, using MRI reading your thoughts found its way.
Method that reads thoughts using MRI machine could be used in brain-computer interfaces
To achieve this, the researchers developed a device that we can also call a ‘decoder’. algorithm developed. This is based on data from an ordinary MRI device. the words he hears and thinks made it read. Although there were similar studies before, it was also among the explanations that the new method was a first.
Alexander Huth, one of the authors of the study, also commented on his research.Twenty years ago, if you asked any neuroscientist in the world if this was possible, they would have laughed.” used the phrases. On the other hand, another researcher, Yukiyasu Kamitani, said that the exciting study can form a basis for brain-computer interface applications. added.
We can say that it is quite difficult to use MRI data in such studies; because they are rather slow compared to human thoughts. Instead of the activities of neurons taking place in milliseconds, MRI devices changes in blood flow measures. Such changes can also take seconds. Researcher Huth states that the setup in the study works because the system doesn’t decipher the language verbatim, but rather distinguishes the meaning of a sentence or thought.
The algorithm managed to make sense even when watching a silent movie
In the experiment, the subjects for 16 hours podcasts and some stories were listened to, so that thoughts were resolved. The experts used the data to train the algorithm, and the system compared changes in blood flow to what subjects were listening to. that you can relate expressed. Huth also stated that the method can make sense of blood flow changes ‘pretty well’ and the results are promising.
In addition, the method participants even when watching a silent movie managed to make sense of it. This showed that the decoder is not limited to spoken language only. The researchers added that the method could help us better understand how different parts of the brain play a role in making sense of the world.
Finally, it is worth noting that there are some shortcomings in the algorithm. The method failed to detect who said what in podcast recordings. In other words, this means that the algorithm clearly understands what’s going on, but that the source Having trouble understanding who you are revealed. Experts hope the algorithm could be used to develop technologies that could help people who can’t speak by laying the groundwork for brain-computer interfaces.
Source :
https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/researchers-report-decoding-thoughts-from-fmri-data-70661