aivokehys

Aivokehys is a term used in speculative neuroscience and science fiction to describe a protective or functional envelope surrounding the brain. The word is formed from Finnish aivo ("brain") and kehyys ("envelope" or "frame"), and is not an established medical term.

In real anatomy, the brain is protected by the meninges, a system of membranes including the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater, collectively known as aivokalvo in Finnish.

In fictional or hypothetical contexts, an aivokehys may be imagined as a bioengineered or naturally evolved sheath that regulates the exchange of ions and signaling molecules, provides mechanical protection, and serves as a stable interface for neural devices.

Concepts of an aivokehys are often used to address issues in brain–computer interfaces and neural prosthetics, offering a theoretical solution for biocompatibility, scar formation, and long-term stability of implanted sensors or stimulators.

Because the concept is speculative, there is no empirical evidence for its existence. Critics note that the brain already relies on its complex protective layers and that any additional sheath would have to reconcile delicate neurophysiological processes with potential immune responses and developmental constraints.

See also: meninges, brain–computer interface, neural tissue engineering.