Stimulating Nerve Cells with Infrared Lasers
October 27, 2004 | Source: KurzweilAI
Vanderbilt University researchers have discovered a method that uses laser light, rather than electricity, to stimulate and control neurons.
They discovered in an experiment with rats that low-intensity infrared laser light can activate specific nerves, exciting a leg or even individual toes without actually touching the neurons. Immediately following the experiment, the rats regained full use of their legs with no signs of weakness or damage.