Study: ‘Sentient’ brain cells in dish learn to play video game

Scientists are investigating the learning capacities of neurons in a dish. — AFP Relaxnews

WASHINGTON: Brain cells living in a dish can learn to play the classic video game Pong, thus demonstrating “intelligent and sentient behaviour”, Australian neuroscientists argue in a new paper.

Brett Kagan, who led the study published Oct 12 in the journal Neuron, told AFP his findings open the door to a new type of research in which neurons could one day be used as biological information processors, complementing digital computers.