Scientists Enhance Ability to Feel

[Brainchild]

I thought this was an intresting article.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...ml?nav=hptoc_h

The enhanced sensitivity, achieved with a tiny stimulating device and a single dose of a drug, has reversed fingertip numbness in older people, many of whom have trouble performing everyday tasks such as buttoning shirts or turning switches on and off. Researchers said they suspect it could also help blind people read Braille. And applying the technique to the feet might prevent falls in diabetics who have lost sensation in their toes, which are crucial for balance.

This could be a great discovery,and tool to help the elderly regain some selfreliance.

[Redwolf]

Yeah...and may be the hottest thing since Viagra too :rolleys:

It's a great drug...it's just it may have other uses....

There's a nother, less intrusive/non-drug system that's been developed for returning sense, unfortunately it works (at the moment) by holding a small set of electrodes on your tongue. A woman that lost her sense of balance (inner-ear problems) relearned to walk in 20 minutes with the use of the device. That's pretty impressive. Not to mention it shows how malleable the brain and it's input centers are. They were talking about making it sub-dermal in the scalp or something so that there wouldn't be any visible signs, or at least no awkward devices to haul around.