<p>You can't get a PhD using an electronic device, that's the stuff for movies (Fig. 1). Plus, as I claim in <a href="https://psychology.stackexchange.com/users/6983/aliced?tab=profile">my profile</a>, there's a lot more to science than learning new material:  </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Behind the great achievements of a Gauss or an Einstein is in all
  cases a life devoted to contemplation, curiosity, collaboration and,
  perhaps most of all, hard work <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-quest-for-genius-in-einstein-s-brain/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">(Burrell, 2015)</a>.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>However, to bring your question down to a more elementary level, there are concepts in development to guide neuronal growth toward certain targets, for example for use in <a href="https://advancedbionics.com/com/en/home/about-cochlear-implants/what-is-a-cochlear-implant-system.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">cochlear implants</a> (CIs). CIs stimulate the inner ear in people with severe hearing impairment. A CI basically consists of an array of electrodes that is guided into the inner ear. Because the electrode contacts are situated relatively far from the target neurons (spiral ganglion cells making up the auditory nerve, see Fig. 2), scientists have been contemplating how to bring the source closer to the target. One way to (theoretically) do this is to coat the electrode array with a solution releasing neurotrophic factor(s), such as BDNF(<em>e.g.</em>, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5420760/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Ramku <em>et al</em>. (2017)</a>). These compounds are known to act as chemo-attractants that can stimulate and guide neural outgrowths.      </p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/NmoQU.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/NmoQU.jpg" alt="Matrix"></a><br>
<sup>Fig. 1. Reaves learning Kunf Fu. source: <a href="https://www.ej4.com/blog/3-out-of-5-trainers-are-not-morpheus" rel="nofollow noreferrer">EJ4</a></sup>
<br><br></p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/fM7Gw.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/fM7Gw.png" alt="CI"></a><br>
<sup>Fig. 2. CI. source: <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312383271_Cortical_plasticity_in_cochlear_implant_users/figures?lo=1" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Debener (2016)</a></sup>  </p>

<p><sub><strong>References</strong><br>
<strong>-</strong> <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-quest-for-genius-in-einstein-s-brain/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Burrell, <em>Sci Am</em>, September issue 2015</a><br>
<strong>-</strong> <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312383271_Cortical_plasticity_in_cochlear_implant_users/figures?lo=1" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Debener, Cortical plasticity in cochlear implant users (2016). Thesis</a><br>
<strong>-</strong> <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5420760/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Ramku <em>et al</em>., <em>Open Access Maced J Med Sci</em> (2017); <strong>5</strong>(2): 121–5</a></sub></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-19T21:54:10.480Z
ok if growing new neurons is out of question for now. Then what about creating a computer that simulate neurons and attach that to brain. For example in this study part of brain of a mouse is connected to another mouse over internet, and one mouse is demonstrates knowledge that was taught only to other mouse. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/feb/28/brains-rats-connected-share-information
Muhammad Umer
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-19T21:55:48.930Z
oh instead of electrodes we could have nanobots, but i know we dont have that yet.
Muhammad Umer
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-19T19:32:14.787Z
2019-01-19T20:59:16.683Z
2019-01-19T20:59:16.683Z
AliceD
<p>Is there a device of some sort that could promote/guide/create exact connections between neurons? I wish there was a device that could get me PhD by just wearing it for a few months.</p>

<neuroscience><eeg><neurophysiology>
Can a device create/guide neuron connections between them?
Muhammad Umer
# Can a device create/guide neuron connections between them?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-01-19)

Is there a device of some sort that could promote/guide/create exact connections between neurons? I wish there was a device that could get me PhD by just wearing it for a few months.

**Tags:** neuroscience, eeg, neurophysiology


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2019-01-19. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

You can't get a PhD using an electronic device, that's the stuff for movies (Fig. 1). Plus, as I claim in [my profile](https://psychology.stackexchange.com/users/6983/aliced?tab=profile), there's a lot more to science than learning new material:

> Behind the great achievements of a Gauss or an Einstein is in all
> cases a life devoted to contemplation, curiosity, collaboration and,
> perhaps most of all, hard work [(Burrell, 2015)](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-quest-for-genius-in-einstein-s-brain/).

However, to bring your question down to a more elementary level, there are concepts in development to guide neuronal growth toward certain targets, for example for use in [cochlear implants](https://advancedbionics.com/com/en/home/about-cochlear-implants/what-is-a-cochlear-implant-system.html) (CIs). CIs stimulate the inner ear in people with severe hearing impairment. A CI basically consists of an array of electrodes that is guided into the inner ear. Because the electrode contacts are situated relatively far from the target neurons (spiral ganglion cells making up the auditory nerve, see Fig. 2), scientists have been contemplating how to bring the source closer to the target. One way to (theoretically) do this is to coat the electrode array with a solution releasing neurotrophic factor(s), such as BDNF(*e.g.*, [Ramku *et al*. (2017)](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5420760/)). These compounds are known to act as chemo-attractants that can stimulate and guide neural outgrowths.

[![Matrix](https://i.sstatic.net/NmoQU.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/NmoQU.jpg)  
Fig. 1. Reaves learning Kunf Fu. source: [EJ4](https://www.ej4.com/blog/3-out-of-5-trainers-are-not-morpheus)

[![CI](https://i.sstatic.net/fM7Gw.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/fM7Gw.png)  
Fig. 2. CI. source: [Debener (2016)](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312383271_Cortical_plasticity_in_cochlear_implant_users/figures?lo=1)

**References**  
**-** [Burrell, *Sci Am*, September issue 2015](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-quest-for-genius-in-einstein-s-brain/)  
**-** [Debener, Cortical plasticity in cochlear implant users (2016). Thesis](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312383271_Cortical_plasticity_in_cochlear_implant_users/figures?lo=1)  
**-** [Ramku *et al*., *Open Access Maced J Med Sci* (2017); **5**(2): 121–5](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5420760/)

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: ok if growing new neurons is out of question for now. Then what about creating a computer that simulate neurons and attach that to brain. For example in this study part of brain of a mouse is connected to another mouse over internet, and one mouse is demonstrates knowledge that was taught only to other mouse. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/feb/28/brains-rats-connected-share-information  
> **username_0**: oh instead of electrodes we could have nanobots, but i know we dont have that yet.  

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