Controlling Monkey Brains and Behavior With Light

An anonymous reader writes "Researchers reporting online on July 26 in Current Biology have for the first time shown that they can control the behavior of monkeys by using pulses of blue light to very specifically activate particular brain cells (abstract). The findings represent a key advance for optogenetics, a state-of-the-art method for making causal connections between brain activity and behavior. Based on the discovery, the researchers say that similar light-based mind control could likely also be made to work in humans for therapeutic ends."

Mind control..

[vistapwns]

Great, now I'll need to find some matching sun glasses to go with my tin foil hat..

Task Orientated

[Sponge Bath]

With the proper feedback mechanism the primate can be compelled to perform a variety of directed tasks. One such method is the mod point.

Prior art:

[Anonymous Coward]

Americans and TV