A robot which has its movements controlled by biological brain matter from a rat is aiding researchers from the University of Reading in the UK to learn more about human neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's, which affects between 50 and 70 per cent of all people with dementia, it has been claimed.

The neuron culture being used to control the robot has been allowed to grow, divide and connect in a laboratory and the researchers hope that by studying it they will be able to better understand such conditions in humans.

It is kept in a temperature-controlled environment and is attached to a multi electrode array (MEA) consisting of 60 electrodes.

The MEA both stimulates the brain matter via electrical impulses and responds to signals sent out by the cultured neurons.

It is fed a pink nutrient-enriched liquid every couple of days to keep the neurons alive and allow them to grow.

Dr Ben Whalley, from the university's school of pharmacy, comments: "This project gives us a really unique opportunity to look at something which may exhibit complex behaviours, but still remain closely tied to the activity of individual neurons."

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