Summary
The nervous system is a complex network which links together the organs of our body, transmitting and receiving sensory and movement information. Recently, research has explored the neural signals that are used by these systems, essentially the language of the nervous system. This research allows conditions that impair the nervous system, such as paralysis, to be treated and assist in diagnosing diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.
Current Research
In a 2017 research paper published in Wiley, C. Bouton, through neural decoding and neurostimulation methods, allowed a paralysed patient to regain movement in his hands through bioelectric neural bypass. Furthermore, on average, epilepsy patients experienced a 37.9% decrease in seizures using these techniques.
Future Research
Bioelectric medicine could have a multitude of uses in the future, giving medical professionals access to one's nervous system. One potential experiment is analyzing electrical signals from the nervous system in order to potentially predict diseases and allow for early diagnosis, giving the patient a greater chance to fully recover.
References
Bouton C. (2017). Cracking the neural code, treating paralysis and the future of bioelectronic medicine. Journal of internal medicine, 282(1), 37–45. https://doi.org/10.1111/joim.12610
