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Question of the fortnight: Is a brain transplant possible?

Blogging science to life

Thu 6 May 2010, Written by: Nicole

Are brain transplants a possibility in the future?

This all depends on what you count as a brain transplant, as transplant is already possible for some parts of the brain. The retina, which is at the back of your eye, is technically part of the brain and retinal transplants are already carried out - some blind people have even had their sight restored as a result.

There is also lots of research going into stem cell transplants. Stem cells are essential repairing cells which can be used to replace lost cells in the brains of individuals with Parkinson’s disease. But this is still in the experimental stage.

In regards to a complete brain transplant there are still lots of interesting questions surrounding it, such as if you transplanted your brain it would also transplant your memories which could be very strange.

There is also a function of the body called proprioception, which is how your brain can tell where parts of your body are, such as where your arms and legs are. If you had a brain transplant at 20, it could take 20 years for the new brain to relearn its new body – how does that sound?!

Nadine Becker and Pete Etchells
University of Bristol Neuroscientists (from At-Bristol's Brain Awareness Week)

Thanks to Nadine and Pete for that brain boggling answer!