Neuroscience

Real-life Jason Bourne: SEALs test ‘cognitive enhancement’

Volunteers within the ranks of U.S. Navy SEALs and other elite units are experimenting with new technologies, which may enhance their already impressive skill sets.

Officials with Naval Special Warfare Command have confirmed that personnel are testing transcranial electrical stimulation and other methods eyed last July by then-Defense Secretary Ash Carter. The efforts are part of an initiative called the Defense Innovation Unit (Experimental), or DIUx.

“Earlier this year, Naval Special Warfare units, working with DIUx, began a specific cognitive enhancement project with a small group of volunteers to test and evaluate achieving higher performance through the use of neuro-stimulation technology,” said Capt. Jason Salata, a spokesman for the command, in a statement to Military.com Sunday about the project. “Early results show promising signs,” he said. “Based on this, we are encouraged to continue and are moving forward with our studies.”