The sixth-sense prosthetic could be used for shoring up the first five: If a tumor damages the visual cortex at the back of the brain, the primary sensory cortex on top—still thought by many neuroscientists to be inalterably hardwired for touch—might be commandeered to process incoming visual signals. The Duke researchers have begun to do similar experiments with howler monkeys.

The device can also explore possibilities for brain enhancement. The rats, Nicolelis says, seemed to be developing a new form of behavior. “The closest I can describe it is to say they were touching light because they don’t see the light,” he says. “They process this invisible light as a new form of touch. So they change the way they move their heads. They scan the environment with sweeps of the head looking for light and this is not a typical way that animals perceive light. They created an exploratory behavior as a consequence of being able to perceive a new signal.”

Future experiments will also assess the possibility of fully developed infrared vision—equipping the brain with the equivalent of night vision goggles that can detect all of the contrast and intensity of the infrared environment. On the to-do list as well are devices that enable the perception of other forms of energy alone or in VISOR-like combination—X rays, magnetic fields or radio waves. “It’s pretty interesting to try to understand whether there’s a limit, whether the brain is really capable of adapting to combine a huge number of [electromagnetic] energies and altering our perception of world,” Nicolelis says.

A "sixth sense" prosthetic is in line with other research from Nicolelis's laboratory that is looking at technologies that will not only correct cognitive defects, but also extend and elaborate on the brain's organic capabilities—the ability to mix sensory perceptions between two rat brains is one possibility (shades of the Vulcan mind meld!). There are also plans for a brain-controlled exoskeleton to allow a handicapped child make the first kick for the 2014 World Cup.

The sixth-sense device might be one small step toward developing and implementing the science of Star Trek. It still may be a while, though, before Nicolelis's extra-sense machine will let a rat shift between parallel universes, as the VISOR did for Lt. Worf in "Parallels," the 163rd episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

5 Comments

1. 1. karenalcott 03:51 PM 2/13/13

   Dear Lord, first we have dung beetles in bonnetts, now we have rats in shades.
   But seriously, with the spread of technology it's about time we gave the disabled a real shot at competeing. With global competition being as fierce as it is these days no country can afford to write off any pool of talent.
   With industrial, military and/or popular lesiure applications these technologies could all become available to the average citizen in time. Keep up the good work, Duke U.
   As a blue collar girl, I always wanted that suit Sigourney Weaver had in Aliens II, now they are being developed for the military, someday they will be found on loading docks and after that chair bound folks will start walking around at will.

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2. 2. willfree 11:28 AM 2/14/13

   I frequently wear a device which allows me to detect invisible waves. This device converts these otherwise undetectable waves into electronic signals that travel through wires to tiny gadgets placed in my ears. The gadgets convert these signals into audible sound waves. My ears convert the sound back to electronic signals sent through nerves and directly into my brain. Thus I am able to walk around town "hearing" radio waves. Usually NPR.

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3. 3. darklight_413 05:13 PM 2/14/13

   I completely agree with experimenting on animals as long as the animal fully agrees in writing. Otherwise it's just primitive and barbaric and is little more than pulling the wings off flies for me. I don't care what it is. Use humans instead. But then, this is Duke, the university that brought you the racist rave and that chanted "how's your grandmother" during a basketball game to the basketball player who'd grandmother had just died.

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4. 4. Wayne Williamson 05:35 PM 2/14/13

   Interesting article...doubt if the x-ray portion will work with our current tech..read Chandra would not be wearable.
   
   For poster willfree...I was going to ask how you would get around listening to radio, but I guess, they usually tell you where to go;-)
   
   For darklight...maybe a paw print would be sufficient...as a side note I kill several rats a month in my yard using poison and have no remorse...test away...
   

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5. 5. joenn 07:23 PM 2/14/13

   When the rats start saying "We are Borg. Resistance is futile." Then we may have goen too far.

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