No White House brain drain: Obama launches project to study human mind

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/feb/18/white-house-proposes-billion-dollar-project-study-/#ixzz2LGx4hWUF

Hollywood could have a field day with a new Big Brother conspiracy theory.

The White House has announced a 10-year study on the inner workings of the human brain, akin to the Human Genome Project’s research into genetics.

The research, called the Brain Activity Map project, will encompass studies of federal agencies, foundations and an unspecified number of neuroscientists and nanoscientists, the Boston Globe reports.

The mission?

To study the billions of neurons in humans’ brains and learn what exactly leads to certain perceptions, actions and even levels of consciousness, the report continues.

One favorable result could bring a cure for brain-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, according to the report. Another hoped-for result: the advancement of artificial intelligence, the Boston Globe reports.

The study is expected to cost billions of dollars, the Boston Globe says. Few details are known, including how much of the cost would come from taxpayers, according to the report.

An undated image of a MRI brain scan (AP Photo/University of Iowa Department of Neurology)