I came across another interesting article today. As I have said before I am very interested in neuroscience, and the topic of this article is very intriguing. The article discuss a developing field in neurology known as neuro-stimulation. This is a relativity new form of neural therapy with no precise methodology. Its effects and applications are still largely unknown and there is still a lot to uncover.
One form of neuro-stimulation is called electroconvulsive therapy, or E.C.T.. It is a seizure-inducing therapy for temporary relief for patients with severe depression. While controversial, it does provide a example of what neuro-stimulations are capable of. Another more direct form of neuro-stimulation is deep brain stimulation, or D.B.S. which has been used to treat conditions such as Parkinson’s and epilepsy. In D.B.S., an electrode is put into a part of the brain that is causing problems and stops the activity in that region. One more form of neuro-stimulation is rhythmic coupling. It amplifies the waves used by the brain to communicate between separate regions, low frequency waves called theta waves, is essentially allow for those regions to better function together.
In any case, this is a field that is sure to bring revolutionary therapies for many neurological conditions and diseases. It is important to realize that while many of benefits have not been discovered so haven’t the risks. New studies and therapies claim to able to optimized memory and reverse fatigue and low attentiveness, but sending electrical currents through the delicate brain could have unforeseen consequences. However, I am very excited to see what comes out of this field, and maybe some big leaps in treatment for neural disabilities will be made.
Article – Firing Up the Neural Symphony – The New York Times – Benedict Carey
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