Advanced Algorithm Identifies Memories From Brain Activity

Researchers at the Wellcome Trust Center for Neuroimaging in London have developed an algorithm that can identify brain activity patterns specific to the recall of individual memories. Working within the limited scope of three short films, the algorithm has been able to determine which one in particular is being remembered when a participant is prompted.

Popular Science explains below:

Scientists showed 10 volunteers three short films that featured women carrying out ordinary activities. Some of the footage included drinking coffee and then tossing the paper cup, as well as mailing out a letter.

The volunteers then recalled each of the films inside an fMRI brain scanner, which gauges brain activity based on changes in the brain’s blood flow. That allowed the computer algorithm to study the brain activity patterns, and then start predicting purely based on the patterns.

[via PopSci]