REMOTE measurements of a person’s brain activity can show what they are thinking – even when they are not aware of it themselves.
So far, the technique has only been used to identify visual patterns. But it may eventually be possible to probe awareness, focus of attention, memory and even someone’s intentions. In the meantime, it could help detect whether people who appear to be in a coma are in fact conscious.
In previous studies, scientists have trained monkeys to move robotic arms with the power of thought. Others have managed to recreate scenes moving in front of cats by recording…
