Monkey controls limb movements of 'avatar' using its mind

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In the movie Avatar, humans operate the bodies of a human-hybrid species, called Na'vi, with their minds. Now, researchers from Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA, have carried out a similar technique in monkeys - using neural devices that allowed an alert monkey to control the mind of one that was temporarily paralyzed.

The research team, including Ziv Williams of the Department of Neurosurgery at Harvard Medical School, says the findings provide proof of concept that such strategies could be used in the rehabilitation of patients who are paralyzed.

The research was recently published in the journal Nature Communications.

According to the investigators, previous research has demonstrated that neurons in many parts of the brain are able to control external devices, such as a cursor on a computer screen. This direct communication is known as brain-machine interface (BMI).

The researchers say recent studies have even shown that using BMIs could potentially control robotic limbs.

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Monkey controls limb movements of 'avatar' using its mind