**3. Case 3**

In this section we look in a little more detail at Case 3 which involves a direct link between the human brain/nervous system and technology, in particular computers and artificial intelligence. However the main point of interest is that the connection is for therapeutic purposes. That said, part of the reason for detailing this section is to see how easy it is for a case 3 example to become case 4 merely by means of software changes.

### *3.1. Deep Brain Stimulation*

Deep Brain Stimulation is a procedure employed for the electronic treatment of Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, Tourette's syndrome and clinical depression. The deep brain electrodes can though be connected bi-directionally with a computer such that electrical activity in the brain can be monitored. Ongoing research is developing an 'intelligent' stimulator. This uses artificial intelligence to produce warning signals before Parkinsonian tremors begin [20]. So the stimulator only needs to generate signals occasionally rather than continuously, thus operating in a similar fashion to a heart pacemaker.

Using AI techniques, by better understanding the nature of the disease it has been found that there are distinct types of Parkinson's disease based on the different nature of the electrical activity in the brain [13]. It is also quite possible for the monitoring computer to be located remotely from the patient. Hence, signals within the brain can be tracked in real time and fed into a computer. The computer is

able to analyse these signals and generate alternative signals that are fed directly back into the brain in order to ensure the person in question continues to function.

Clearly whilst stimulation is provided in a particular part of the brain merely to overcome a specific problem so we are dealing with a case 3 situation. However if the implant is shown to be successful in other ways then the situation could change. As an example when the implant is employed to overcome depression it is an interesting application, giving the individual positive feelings. This could readily be extended for the computer to bring about positive feelings under certain circumstances and negative feelings in other cases.
