In tests on rodents, the brain-implanted lab mice were induced short or lasting pain and held out discomfort longer than those with no computerized brain implant.

‘Our findings show that this implant offers an effective strategy for pain therapy, even in cases where symptoms are traditionally difficult to pinpoint or manage,’ said senior study author, Dr. Jing Wang.

The brain implant, which in trials detected and reacted to remedy pain 80% of the time, could be the breakthrough needed to pave the way for paradigm shifting pain treatments that are safe and reliable.

According to Wang, the computerized brain implant only operates as pain arises, so the risk of addiction or developing tolerance for indiscriminate use is out of the question.

Specialists involved in the research warned that this technology may allow to find non-drug therapies for other neuropsychiatric disorders, such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress.

pgh/Pll/msm / ghp