Neural implant in Korea remotely controlled from the United States
A researcher in Chicago remotely controls a miniaturized brain implant in Daejeon, Korea—over the internet. Korean researchers have developed a wireless device that can deliver drugs and light to precisely modulate targeted neurons from anywhere in the world. The technology is expected to overcome the constraints of distance and location, supporting long-term studies of brain disorders and the…
Korean scientists have created a tiny, wireless neural implant capable of delivering drugs and light to specific brain cells, remotely controlled from the United States via the internet. This miniaturized device, developed by researchers at KAIST and Yonsei University, overcomes limitations of previous brain implants that required bulky equipment and close proximity to the subject.
The implant, about the size of a sugar cube, integrates drug delivery, optical stimulation, wireless communication, and internet-based remote control into a single system. In tests, researchers in Chicago successfully operated the device in Daejeon, Korea, demonstrating reliable, long-distance operation. The implant can be programmed to administer drugs or stimulate neurons automatically at preset times or in response to specific triggers.
Studies in rats showed the device could suppress addiction-related behaviors when combined with drug delivery and light stimulation. The technology enables long-term, automated studies of brain circuits and behavior in naturalistic settings, potentially leading to advanced implantable medical devices for treating neurological disorders.
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