Nevroteknologi

Nevroteknologi, also known as neurotechnology, refers to the interdisciplinary field that combines principles from neuroscience, engineering, computer science, and mathematics to create devices, methods, and systems that interact with the nervous system. The goal is to understand neural processes, restore impaired functions, enhance cognitive abilities, or develop new forms of human–computer interfaces. Core technologies include electrophysiological recording and stimulation (EEG, ECoG, DBS, TMS), optical imaging and optogenetics, and emerging techniques such as ultrafast magnetoencephalography and nanoinstrumentation.

The origins of nevroteknologi can be traced to early 20th century experiments on brain stimulation and to the advent of electronic amplifiers in the 1920s and 1930s. The 1950s saw the development of the first clinical electroencephalogram machines, followed by the 1970s introduction of deep brain stimulation for movement disorders. The rapid rise of microelectronics in the 1980s and 1990s enabled high-density neural recording arrays and closed‑loop systems. More recently, machine‑learning algorithms have allowed decoding of complex neural patterns for brain–computer interfaces.

Applications span medical, research, and commercial domains. Clinically, neurotechnologies are used to treat Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, depression, and spinal cord injuries. In research, they provide unprecedented access to in vivo neural dynamics. Commercial ventures focus on neuro‑gaming, neurofeedback therapy, and cognitive enhancement products. Ethical and legal debates address concerns over privacy, enhancement versus therapy, and the potential for neuro‑cognitive hacking.

Key challenges include achieving long‑term biocompatibility of implantable devices, improving spatial resolution without compromising invasiveness, and ensuring robust signal‑to‑noise ratios in noisy biological environments. Ongoing research seeks to develop minimally invasive, wireless, and fully autonomous neurodevices that can integrate seamlessly with the brain’s natural circuitry.