An "intelligent"
microchip to restrain appetite is being developed by British researchers at
Imperial College (London).
What is it?
It is essentially an "intelligent
implantable sensing modulator" microchip, of a just few millimeters
size. The chip, with the use of electrodes, is connected to the vagus nerve, inside
the peritoneal cavity, in the abdomen.
How it works?
The microchip is implanted in the vagus nerve, which plays an important role, not only in appetite, but many other body functions, such as breath
regulation, heart rate, acid emission in the digestive system, as well as intestinal
contraction.
It is designed to read and processes both electrical and chemical signals of the appetite,
within the nerve. Then, based on these measurements, electrical signals are sent
to the brain to decrease or interrupt food temptation.
According to experiment’s leaders Professors Chris Toumazou
and Stephen Bloom, the microchip tells the
brain "... to stop receiving hunger
signals from the stomach; that
the intestine is full of food, therefore, there is no need for more."
This new method seems to be an effective alternative to surgery , or exhaustive weight loss, and is
estimated to be tested in humans within the next three years.
However, this is not the first research on implants in the vagus nerve
to control appetite and deal with obesity; In the United States, a company
called «EnteroMedics» has developed a similar implant, the «VBloc». In this
case, impulses are used to block the vagus nerve, periodically.
Translated & Edited by Christiana Vellianiti
Original Article Written by: Leonidas Kallidonis
Source:healthpress.gr
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