Brain researchers at the University of Leicester (pronounced "Lester" 'cause they're British) have uncovered a way to identify almost exactly what a person is looking at or thinking about based on how their neurons fire.

Dr. Quian Quiroga used photos to prompt brain activity in test subjects implanted with intracranial electrodes. “In these experiments we presented a large database of pictures, and discovered that we can predict what picture the subject is seeing far above chance. For example, if the 'Jennifer Aniston neuron' increases its firing then we can predict that the subject is seeing Jennifer Aniston."

"So, in simple words, we can read the human thought from the neuronal activity."

Dr Quiroga and his team of altruistic researchers envision a world where this discovery could be used to help paralyzed patients - for instance, thinking about a cup of tea could prompt a bionic limb to reach for the item for you. Literal Dr. X-style brain power.

Alternately, it could help marketers know every time you are thinking about Jennifer Aniston.

Labels: brain, computer, convergence, technology