World’s first neural device to restore memory to be developed in US

Up to 1.4 million pounds are to be put towards the development of an implantable neural device that could help to restore memory.

The money is being awarded to the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) by the US Department of Defense's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa).

If the project is successful, the resulting device would be able to record and stimulate neurons within the brain, which may in turn help to bring back memories thought to have been lost.

As a result, it might potentially be a useful treatment for patients with conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Satinderpall Pannu, director of the Center for Bioengineering at the LLNL and the leader of the project, noted there is currently no effective treatment for memory loss that has resulted from TBI and other conditions.

"This is a tremendous opportunity from Darpa to leverage Lawrence Livermore's advanced capabilities to develop cutting-edge medical devices that will change the healthcare landscape," he commented.