Javier Bernácer, researcher on the project ‘Mind-Brain' at the Institute for Culture and Society, University of Navarra,  talked about the dialogue between Neuroscience and Philosophy during a conference in the Planetario of Pamplona (planetarium in Pamplona, Navarra), organized by Ateneo Navarro and the Club de Amigos de la Ciencia.

This specialist began the session presenting some of the most advance techniques related to this discipline. Among them, he mentioned ‘Clarity', which consists in replacing the fatty tissues within the human brain with a hydrogel which changes the structure of the brain, making it transparent. He said that the purpose of this was to make it easier to see the neurons through a microscope.

He spoke also about another pioneering technique called ‘Brainbow', a word that comes from "brain" and "rainbow", which consists of dyeing neurons different colors. "The aim of the project "Conectoma Humano" is to use this technique to be able to see the connections of all the neurons in the brain", he explained.

Moreover, he referred to the "optogeneticas", which imitates the reaction of certain photosensitive algae. "The purpose is to attempt to activate certain neurons with a particular type of light and then study them", he pointed out.

Javier Bernácer highlighted that, although these techniques are very useful for research, they cannot be applied in humans as they involve genetic manipulation.

With regard to the techniques that are being developed for use in humans, this researcher spoke about one that has shown good results in patients with Parkinson's disease and with severe depression; some electrodes are implanted in the nucleus of the brain. There is an electrical signal transmitter: at a given time, a discharge occurs and the nucleus is inactivated. He also mentioned "another technique which permits activation and inactivation of brain regions without penetrating the brain, called transcranial magnetic stimulation"

Our research in Neuroscience has even led to the possibility of communicating with patients in a vegetative state, expressed this specialist of the "Mind-Brain" project. We ask them to imagine themselves in a given situation that will register certain brain activity, such as playing a game of tennis. Then they are asked questions such as if they feel any pain or not; they are told to think of that particular situation (such as playing a game of tennis) if they wish to give an affirmative answer to the questions that they are asked.

Diálogo con la Filosofía

Para Javier Bernácer, todos estos prometedores resultados trasladan el mensaje de que "hay motivos para el optimismo". No obstante, recalcó que si bien la neurociencia puede explicar muchos aspectos de la acción humana, conviene ser prudentes: "No se puede deducir que esta disciplina sea la única fuente de verdad. Tiene sus limitaciones y para superarlas, puede dialogar con la Filosofía".

Como ejemplo de cómo ambos campos del conocimiento pueden enriquecerse mutuamente, mencionó el tema del hábito, que precisamente centra un proyecto desarrollado por su grupo de investigación.

"Frente a la noción que tiene la neurociencia, como rutina motora, queremos explicarlo como una disposición adquirida que nos ayuda a tomar decisiones en situaciones de incertidumbre" puntualizó. En ese sentido, avanzó que su equipo trabaja en un proyecto experimental para esclarecer los cambios que ocurren en el cerebro con la adquisición de hábitos.

Javier Bernácer es licenciado en Biología y Bioquímica por la Universidad de Navarra y doctor por la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. Se ha especializado en la anatomía del cerebro humano, especialmente en los núcleos implicados en la acción. Antes de incorporarse al Instituto Cultura y Sociedad, trabajó en la Universidad de Rochester (EE. UU.) y realizó estancias en el Hospital Mount Sinai de Nueva York y en la Universidad de Cambridge (Reino Unido). En la actualidad, también cursa el grado en Filosofía como complemento para su formación interdisciplinar.

Obra Social 'La Caixa'

El proyecto 'Mente-cerebro' del ICS recibe financiación de la Obra Social 'La Caixa'.