Panel discussion by leading scientists, engineers and philosophers discuss what brain-computer interfaces are and the unique scientific and ethical challenges they pose. hosted by Lynne Malcolm from ABC Radio National's All in the Mind program and features:

• Dr Hannah Maslen, Deputy Director, Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, University of Oxford
• Prof. Eric Racine, Director, Pragmatic Health Ethics Research Unity, Montreal Institute of Clinical Research
• Prof Jeffrey Rosenfeld, Director, Monash Institute of Medical Engineering, Monash University
• Dr Isabell Kiral-Kornek, AI and Life Sciences Researcher, IBM Research
• A/Prof Adrian Carter, Neuroethics Program Coordinator, ARC Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function

This lesson goes over the basic mechanisms of neural synapses, the space between neurons where signals may be transmitted. 

This lesson describes spike timing-dependent plasticity (STDP), a biological process that adjusts the strength of connections between neurons in the brain, and how one can implement or mimic this process in a computational model. You will also find links for practical exercises at the bottom of this page. 

This lesson discusses a gripping neuroscientific question: why have neurons developed the discrete action potential, or spike, as a principle method of communication? 

This lesson introduces the practical exercises which accompany the previous lessons on animal and human connectomes in the brain and nervous system. 

Panel of experts discuss the virtues and risks of our digital health data being captured and used by others in the age of Facebook, metadata retention laws, Cambridge Analytica and a rapidly evolving neuroscience. The discussion was moderated by Jon Faine, ABC Radio presenter. The panelists were:

• Mr Sven Bluemmel, Victorian Information Commissioner
• Prof Judy Illes, Neuroethics Canada, University of British Columbia, Order of Canada
• Prof Mark Andrejevic, Professor of Media Studies, Monash University
• Ms Vrinda Edan, Chief Operating Officer, Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council