‘Futurama’ is real: scientists create system to keep brains alive outside the body

Scientists at UT Southwestern Medical Center have achieved a remarkable advance in neuroscience and medicine. They created a system that keeps the brain of a living and active animal, even when detached from the body.

This development, more than a memory of plots of Science fictionhas a serious and innovative purpose: the isolated study of the brain.

Advances arising from science fiction

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In the universe of the animated series ‘Futurama‘, the idea of ​​preserving live heads in jars is a recurring element. This concept appears in several episodes, in which heads of historical and fictional celebrities are kept alive in special jars, allowing them to interact with the characters and participate in various situations.

Unlike the heads preserved in bottles from the ‘Futurama’ series, the system, called the Extracorporeal Pulsatile Circulatory Control System (EPCC), focuses on detailed brain analysis.

The EPCC, which redirects blood directly to the brain, is equipped with a pump that regulates vital aspects such as pressure, volume, temperature and oxygenation. Successfully tested on a pig brain, the device kept the animal’s brain activity and general health stable for five hours.

Under the leadership of Dr. Juan Pascual, a respected specialist in neurology, pediatrics and physiology, the team sees the EPCC as a unique way to explore the brain. Already used in studies on cerebral hypoglycemia, the device allows controlled changes in cerebral blood glucose levels, which is crucial for understanding diseases such as diabetes.

The practical applications of EPCC extend beyond research. Dr. Pascual suggests the possibility of improving equipment for heart bypass surgeries. By mimicking the heart’s natural pulse, the system could minimize brain risks during such operations.

This innovation generates significant ethical debates. Remember Italian neurosurgeon Sergio Canavero, who proposed a controversial head transplant? Valery Spiridonov, the volunteer for the operation, quit after changes in his life highlighted the ethical complexities of these advances.

EPCC represents a leap forward in understanding and treating brain diseases. The ability to maintain a functioning brain in isolation opens the door to advanced research and more effective treatments. However, the ethical implications of these technologies emerging diseases cannot be ignored, continually challenging the limits of modern medicine.