Researchers simulate signal processing in the retina
Researchers at Cornell University in New York has been able to simulate the signal processing in the retina. The team led by Sheila Nirenberg managed the work done by the retina of mice to replicate by using algorithms, Technology Review reported in its online edition. They played on digital images on an external chip. This in turn translated the recordings into electrical signals. A projector beamed then subsequently as light pulses directly into the ganglion cells of rodents, which are very important for vision.
The cells contained, however, a genetically inserted light-sensitive protein, through its stimulation of the light information was first converted to pulse pattern for the brain. The researchers calculated in advance so that the resulting images, which saw the mice are likely to be even been rich contours of facial features.
The retinal receptor cells detected with light stimuli, converts these signals into electrical impulses and sends them then ganglion cells to the brain. Since many blind people, the ganglion cells are intact, bridge retinal implants that failed stations and directly stimulate the ganglion cells. For sharp vision but must also signal processing in the retina are simulated, otherwise it stays in the brain detailarm incoming image.
An advantage of the method of Nirenberg is the fact that no complex prosthesis must be used in the retina. The disadvantage is that the method requires a genetic intervention. This was according to Nirenberg in monkeys, however, already been tested to be safe. Their signal processing is very similar to human. Now, further tests show that the new method also helps human patients.
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