First human to have a head transplant

[Redfire]

http://blog.seattlepi.com/bigscienc...uman-selected-for-head-transplant/#31272101=0

I imagine if one does this when old, a whole host of problems could be avoided. Sure, the head still ages, but lifespan would surely be extended. New, better life extension methods may be developed in the meantime, though.

For the medical-savvy: what would we need to develop in order to transplant only the brain, instead of the entire head? (I know it's technically called a "whole-body transplant", but how do we differ from a transplant involving only the head, to one involving only the brain? Don't bust my balls).

 

[DrGregoryHouse]

http://blog.seattlepi.com/bigscienc...uman-selected-for-head-transplant/#31272101=0

I imagine if one does this when old, a whole host of problems could be avoided. Sure, the head still ages, but lifespan would surely be extended. New, better life extension methods may be developed in the meantime, though.

For the medical-savvy: what would we need to develop in order to transplant only the brain, instead of the entire head? (I know it's technically called a "whole-body transplant", but how do we differ from a transplant involving only the head, to one involving only the brain? Don't bust my balls).

The Brain's connection to the rest of the body through the spinal cord and other nerves which interface the head with the rest of the world is the crux of why this is likely a loooonnngggg way off from being feasible, if ever.

The cells which make up the spinal cord and nervous system of the face, and much of the rest nervous system, for that matter, never regenerate/ divide/ self repair. Once they are severed: they are incapable of self repair and presently there is no repairing them. At least no practically conceivable way. Once the nervous system connections go, its not just the physical sense that go: say goodbye to all physiology required to sustain even the basic life processes: heartbeat regulation, digestive system functions.

Pretty much everything else: arteries, veins, muscle tissue, ligaments, tendons, even bone near the brain to some extent can heal via regeneration as well as making new connections after the surgery.

But the nerves are all important. This is why someone who breaks their neck and is paralyzed from the waist down due to an injury of the spinal cord is forever paralyzed.

Solve the riddle of nerve regeneration and perhaps brain transplants would be that much more closer to reality.

 

[onesteptwostep]

I read this a couple days ago. I feel like it'll work, to be honest. I'm not sure whether muscle atrophy is caused by the brain and not the muscles/spinal cord/whatever since it's a disease, but if it's not, it could work.

The comments under the youtube video are interesting to read though, like always.

 

[Architect]

Offload the software, it'll be an easier problem to solve.

 

[Vrecknidj]

Hopefully, we'll be able to put human heads on chimps or bonobos for the extra fun.

 

[Pyropyro]

If you're gonna transplant the brain at least do so in a "proper" body.

Spoiler

[bimgx=250]http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/warhammer40k/images/8/8c/Ancient_Dreadnought.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20110306233737[/bimgx]

 

[Cognisant]

The cells which make up the spinal cord and nervous system of the face, and much of the rest nervous system, for that matter, never regenerate/ divide/ self repair.

Actually part of the procedure involves "shocking" the spinal cords of both the body and head in what I assume will be a mild acid thereby causing a lot of their cells to revert to a stem cell state and further stem cells will be introduced, it remains to be seen whether or not this will actually work and even if it does he'll likely never regain full function.

At least no practically conceivable way. Once the nervous system connections go, its not just the physical sense that go: say goodbye to all physiology required to sustain even the basic life processes: heartbeat regulation, digestive system functions.

Yeah I don't know how they're planning to make that work.

If you're gonna transplant the brain at least do so in a "proper" body.

Spoiler

[bimgx=250]http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/warhammer40k/images/8/8c/Ancient_Dreadnought.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20110306233737[/bimgx]

 

[onesteptwostep]

If you're gonna transplant the brain at least do so in a "proper" body.

Spoiler

[bimgx=250]http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/warhammer40k/images/8/8c/Ancient_Dreadnought.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20110306233737[/bimgx]

Oh that looks like a Goliath from starcraft.

 

[J-man]

Because we are our bodies and our heads are just appendages. What are they going to do, throw his head in the garbage?

 

[Shadow Angel]

I'm a devout Transhumanist but goddamn this is disturbing.

 

[Brontosaurie]

i am having of the opignon that it doesn't gonna work

 

[Pyropyro]

Oh that looks like a Goliath from starcraft.

It's a Dreadnought from Warhammer 40k, Starcraft's spiritual ancestor. It's 50% life support system and 50% death machine.

 

[Pyropyro]

I'm a devout Transhumanist but goddamn this is disturbing.

The first baby steps in medicine is usually the most disturbing. Still, progress is progress