9. Brain Implant Improves Thinking in Monkeys, First Such Demonstration in Primates

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/14/health/research/brain-implant-improves-thinking-in-monkeys.html?src=recg

New York Times science reporter Benedict Carey writes on September 14th on the benefits that result from brain implants. The article starts with an interesting assumption what since this brain implant allowed monkeys to show an improvement in decision making as well as restoring lost mental capacity, it could later be used on people to treat different types of brain injuries. Though the device is not ready to be used commercially, the author explains how scientists use it as a model for further studies. To give the readers a brief background information, Carey talks about previous brain implants, and how these had other improvements such as vision or disabled people controlling limbs. The following paragraphs explain the procedure of the experiment carried out by Wake Forest researchers to study how the brain implant has an effect on the rhesus monkeys. The conclusions revealed that brain implants have shown improvement in the monkeys' ability to make the correct choices, but the intake of cocaine diminished their performance. Using this experiment as a model, Dr. Deadwyler hypothesized the possibility of inventing a kind of brain implant that would assist those with brain damage, like shown in the beginning of the article.



Carey's purpose in this article is to explain how the brain implant experiment was made, and to inform the reader about scientists' future research and plans that will be advantageous for people with brain injury. His article is directed to everyone in general, but it would be more for those engaged with sciences and medicine. Carey gave evidence to support his statement at the beggining of the article by giving specific information about the place where the experiment was executed, and the names of the people quoted thoughout the article.