[Neuroscience] Memory formation via a machine

chadmaester via neur-sci%40net.bio.net (by chad.d.johnson from gmail.com)
Sat Sep 22 19:09:32 EST 2007

Could memories theoretically be created in a person's brain if precise
parts of the brain could be stimulated with electric impulses?

If yes, then suppose eventually through research we came to an
understanding of how memories are physically encoded in the brain (how
close are we, by the way?). Also, let's suppose we developed a method
of looking into any part of the brain and decode memories in order to
determine what memories exist already for particular concepts. Would
it be possible to then create the necessary memories and associations
in a person's brain which would allow them to then, say, understand
and speak a foreign language (which they had no prior knowledge of)?
How about knowledge to perform new physical activities, for instance,
martial arts (I suppose neurons in the spinal cord and other parts of
the body would need to be trained as well, no?)?

What kind of timeframe would be necessary to create a sufficient
amount of memories for the person to understand and speak the target
language sufficiently? A few hours? A few days (across multiple
sessions)? A month?

I realize memory formation depends on raw materials such as chemicals
as well, so wouldn't the person's body need to be provided with a
dosage of "raw materials" required for the massive amount of memory
formation that would take place?

(I am a CS major who is interested in studying neuroscience, so please
forgive my lack of knowledge, and please go easy on me if I sound
stupid :p ).


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