A glimpse at the history of neuroengineering

Image source: io9.gizmodo.com

In the field of medicine, very few things intrigue people as much as the human brain. Naturally, research on it has garnered more attention than most any topic. And this is one reason Dr. Curtis Cripe of NTL Group believes neuroengineering deserves to be in the spotlight.

If one looks back at the history of neuroengineering, the field that combines engineering techniques and the science of the neural system, it is almost as if many of the events were taken from a science fiction novel or movie; especially in recent years when leading researchers in the field have been able to create interfaces and facilitate interaction between the human neural system and non-living constructs.

Image source: stonybrook.edu

Dr. Curtis Cripe explains that neuroengineering as a discipline began a bit later than other research fields, mainly since the technology to accomplish what researchers set out to do had not yet been developed. And while researchers have made significant strides in neuroengineering, there is still much to be learned about the human brain and the electronic gadgets that can interact with it.

The first official global conference on neuroengineering took place in 2003. The following year, several journals and reports started to be published. Today, neuroengineers worldwide get together regularly to discuss findings, compare notes, and push the field forward, Dr. Curtis Cripe adds.

Dr. Curtis Cripe played an important role in the development of the programs being used by the NTL Group, which specializes in the treatment of learning disabilities and neurological diseases. More information on Dr. Cripe and his work here.