Baby diapers inspired this new way to study the brain

7 CQ

Neuroengineer Ed Boyden wants to know how the tiny biomolecules in our brains generate emotions, thoughts and feelings -- and he wants to find the molecular changes that lead to disorders like epilepsy and Alzheimer's. Rather than magnify these invisible structures with a microscope, he wondered: What if we enlarge them and make them easier to see? Learn how the same polymers used to make baby diapers swell could be a key to better understanding our brains.

Aired July 21, 2016

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    4 Comments
    500 characters max

    Afiya A
    Would this be possible on a real human brain that is healthy
    appreciate appreciated
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    Juanita V
    How do you remove the polymer from the brain after the study and won't this alter the thinking process. The skull is only so large.How is this not invasive and dangerous?. Ivan see its value in biopsy, but a living thinking human. It's amazing technology, if you swell something in a confined space the expansion might be fatal or worse. Isn't this similar to how a cancer works. I hope you have a follow up on this subject to cover any safety measures you have come up with to protect the patient.
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    Jean M
    That was fascinating, but now to do it on a living subject, now that will really be amazing.
    appreciate appreciated
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    Joan D
    Fascinating!!
    appreciate appreciated
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