Brain memory chip: The future of memory enhancement

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• June 7, 2022

Insight summary

A future where a microchip can boost your memory formation is being developed, which can transform mental health treatment and daily life for those suffering with forgetfulness or recovering from traumatic experiences. However, the initial rollout of this technology might be costly, potentially restricting access to a privileged few. As society navigates this emerging landscape, collaboration between governments and developers will be key in crafting guidelines to ensure the ethical use of these chips

Brain memory chip context

Memory loss affects one out of every nine Americans over the age of 45, and one in six people over 80 will eventually suffer from dementia, most of whom may also struggle with Alzheimer's disease. While high efficacy drug treatments for memory loss remain years, perhaps decades away, emerging developments in microchip implant technology may offer an alternative treatment option for those in need. Presently, select drugs can delay the progression of Alzheimer's disease if it is diagnosed early. Unfortunately, such diagnosis is only conclusive after death, and the disease can only be slowed, with memory function restoration not possible.

Fortunately, innovative 'brain chips' may be able to remove some of the disease's worst effects. The United States Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has spent USD $77 million between 2017 and 2021 developing technologies to help persons with catastrophic brain injuries regain their memory capacity. In addition, two organizations that conducted human experiments presented strong results in 2020. Michael Kahana, a psychology professor at the University of Pennsylvania, and Medtronic Plc, a medical technology business, collaborated on the Mayo Clinic implant. 

The left temporal cortex monitors the brain's electrical activity and predicts whether or not an enduring memory will be formed. If the patient's brain activity is not optimal, the implant sends a mild electrical current (or zap) to enhance the brain's signal and boost the likelihood of memory formation. Researchers discovered that the prototype consistently improved memory formation by 15 to 18 percent in two different experiments. It is hoped the device can be used for unique memories and persons because many neurons fire an exact current to generate memories, communicating a type of code within a person's brain.

Disruptive impact

The development of microchips designed to augment or repair memory formation can alleviate daily stress for those who frequently forget due to high stress levels, and offer a therapeutic pathway for individuals recovering from brain injuries or traumatic experiences. This technology harbors the potential to reshape the landscape of mental health treatment, offering a more direct method to mend cognitive functions and improve quality of life. However, it is essential to tread carefully to ensure that the technology is used to foster wellbeing and not to create further disparities or ethical quandaries.

While the potential benefits are substantial, the initial phase of introducing memory-enhancing chips may be accompanied by a high price tag, limiting access to affluent families and individuals with substantial insurance coverage, including military personnel. This economic barrier could foster a divide where only a segment of the population can avail themselves of the cognitive advantages offered by the chips, potentially creating an uneven playing field in educational and professional environments. Moreover, the technology harbors the risk of facilitating the implantation of false memories or alteration of genuine ones, opening up a Pandora's box of ethical dilemmas. 

Looking forward, governments and regulatory bodies may need to work hand in hand with developers to craft guidelines that govern the ethical use of memory-altering chips, ensuring they are utilized for therapeutic and beneficial purposes rather than for creating cognitive disparities. This collaborative approach can foster a society where technological advancements work in harmony with ethical considerations, promoting wellbeing and fairness. Moreover, as the technology matures and becomes more accessible, it could potentially become a standard tool in medical kits, offering a way to enhance human potential while safeguarding mental health.

Implications of microchips that affect human memory

Wider implications of memory microchips being introduced to support memory formation may include:

• Enhanced quality of life for persons suffering from impaired memory due to disease, injury, or trauma, as well as improved independence and reduced nursing/healthcare costs. 
• Psychologists leveraging the technology to treat people who suffer from significant trauma and other mental health disorders. 
• The devices being used for espionage purposes, such as smuggling information out of a country.
• Significant public and venture-backed funding being poured into the development of numerous cognitive-enhancing technologies once the benefits are fully proven out.
• A meaningful increase in the life and work productivity of individuals who invest in memory-enhancing implants; should such technologies become widespread by the 2040s/50s, they could noticeably improve the economies of nations.
• Increasing debates on the potential misuse of this technology, particularly in the academe.

Questions to consider

• Do you believe it is ethical to allow people to use microchips to enhance their memory? Is forgetfulness a fully human trait?
• Who should have the right to decide if a person should receive a memory-enhancing chip if the patient cannot do so?