Neurotechnology: a new approach for treating brain disorders

Advances in neuroscience, engineering and computer technologies are creating opportunities to connect the brain directly to devices to treat a variety of disorders, both neurological and psychiatric. They are opening a new field of neuroscience called "neurotechnology." This article reviews efforts in this area that are ongoing at Brown University and the hospitals affiliated with Brown's Alpert Medical School. Two general approaches are being used. One uses advanced electrodes to "sense" the activity of many individual neurons in the cerebral cortex and then use that activity for therapeutic purposes. The other uses various types of devices to stimulate specific networks in the brain in order to restore normal function and alleviate symptoms.