The neurological connections that create memories begin to weaken when we pass away. What if, though, our minds might be saved? What if we could back up our memories like we do with computer data? It is doable, according to a startup business.

I'd like to introduce you to Nectome, a company whose "ultimate ambition is to keep your memories intact for the future."According to a start-up business, it may be able to preserve human brains and recall memories in the future.

The business, which was co-founded by MIT alumnus Robert McIntyre, claims that soon we may be able to "upload" our memories to the cloud and preserve the human connectome.

The connectome, or the network of connections between brain cells, is a map of the brain, according to the Brain Preservation Foundation. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) graduate Robert McIntyre co-founded the business, which claims that soon humans might be able to preserve human brain even "upload" our memories to the cloud with connectome.

Introduction 

The term "synapse" refers to these linkages. Structures called synapses allow electrical or chemical signals to travel between neurons. In other words, synapses enable communication between brain cells and are crucial for the creation of memories.

Aldehyde-stabilized cryopreservation, also known as vitrifixation, is a method that Nectome believes could be used to preserve human synapses and the memories they have contributed to.

How is vitrifixation carried out?

Fixation and vitrification are the two steps that make up "vitrifixation". Fixation entails the use of glutaraldehyde to stabilise synapses and stop them from deteriorating.

The brain is kept at -122°C to further improve preservation. According to Nectome, it can be preserved in this manner for hundreds of years.

Before the brains are frozen, ethylene glycol is administered to prevent the growth of ice crystals. Ethylene glycol concentrations rise, causing the brain to become vitreous, or glass-like. The vitrification process looks like this.

If you think that everything described here sounds a little bit unrealistic, you might be interested to know that Nectome has already used vitrifixation to successfully preserve a whole rabbit brain.

The method has previously undergone testing on humans. Just 2.5 hours after an elderly woman's death, McIntyre and colleagues employed vitrifixation to preserve her brain. According to McIntyre, who spoke with MIT Technology Review, the woman's brain is "one of the best-preserved ever."

However, there is a drawback: while though 2.5 hours may not seem like a long time between death and brain preservation, the brain actually experiences significant damage during that time.

The brain must be fresh in order for vitrifixation to fully maintain it. The surgery should ideally be carried out as the patient approaches death.

This means that in order for Nectome to further their concept, they will need to locate individuals who are prepared to give their lives in exchange for having their entire brains preserved in the hopes that their memories would one day be recovered and turned into a computer simulation.

A method might "recreate the mind."

Who would act in such a manner?

As a way to secure funding, Nectome has already established a waiting list for the surgery. You can agree to the potential of having your brain and memories preserved for a $10,000 down payment.

Despite the method not being fully developed, 25 people have already signed up, according to Nectome.

Even while the preservation technique has showed some promise, it is still unclear whether it is even possible to recover memories from the human brain after death. Nectome has still not yet developed a plan that would allow them to "upload" the memories they have recovered.

Nevertheless, the business intends to benefit from "death with dignity" Acts that have been approved in various American states, including California, Oregon, and Washington.

According to McIntyre, Nectome is in discussions with solicitors familiar with such Acts and is certain that they will be granted legal authorization to carry out the treatment.

The organisation that supports and accelerates start-up businesses, Y Combinator, has already given the business support, and Nectome will present their contentious proposal at the company's Demo Day the next week.