The Pros And Cons Of Deep Brain Stimulation

Brain research like this generally requires a live subject whether it is to be an animal or a human. Any experimental medical testing is always an ethical issue because of the potential risks that it poses such as pain, discomfort, death, or altercations to the subjects current state. There are many risks with brain research involving what might happen in the present and what could happen in the future.

TMS uses a device that creates a magnetic field around certain targeted parts of the patient's brain. Since the brain’s activity is caused by neurons using electric charges to communicate with each other, TMS creates a magnetic field around a section of the brain which causes the neurons to interact

The internal receiver and non-magnetic plug are then placed under the skin away from the incision. Sennaroglu and Ziyal (2012) state that “care must be taken so that the incision does not directly cross the area where the receiver/stimulator is to be placed. Failure to do this may cause device extrusion.” After the surgeon removes the temporal bone and the schwannoma, he identifies the landmarks of the lateral recess, specifically the foramen of Luschka (senna). The foramen of Luschka can be found by locating the IX cranial nerve. “In the surgical setting, where there is almost always distortion of the brain stem from the tumor, the foramen of Luschka is located superior to the ninth nerve” (senna). After identifying the landmarks of the lateral recess, dissection is stopped, and the posterior fossa is occluded with gelfoam. At this point, the surgeon secures the receiver in the outer table of the skull. Dissection then continues in the posterior fossa. Next, the ground electrode is placed under the temporalis muscle, and the electrode array’s side mesh is trimmed to fit inside the lateral recess. Finally, the electrodes are carefully inserted into the cochlear nucleus (Wilkinson). Placement of the electrode array is determined by using electrophysiological

In conclusion, their hypothesis was proven correct. The stimulation technique used in this experiment can be compared to DBS in human treatment, and it shows that low amplitude high frequency stimulation is the best way to lateral thalamus nucleus to activate the cortex. For future studies they suggested that the time of stimulation after the seizure should be monitored and the type of stimulation. This technique has the potential to help people with epilepsy recover after having a seizure, in order for them to continue their daily routines without worrying as much about the problems after a

The hope is that the approach could one day be used to bypass damaged areas of the brain and relay signals in people with traumatic brain injury, stroke or epilepsy.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, (TMS), involves a small metal coil being positioned close to the participants skull and a short pulse of electrical current is run through it. This creates a temporary magnetic field which impedes processing in the area of the brain stimulated, this is often called a brain lesion. This leads to electrical stimulation in the brain. When lookung at cognition, several magnetic pulses are administered in a short period of time, this is called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, (rTMS). If TMS application to an individual area of the brain leads to defective task completion, it can be concluded that the specific brain area is needed for that task. One advantage of using TMS is that it doesnt require brain

The review employed four randomized, controlled clinical trials of deep brain stimulation that occurred in Germany, Austria, United Kingdom, and the United States (Okun, 2012). It did not discuss a detailed description of the search strategy that was used to find all the relevant studies in the review. Participants were randomly assisted to one of two groups – undergo bilateral deep brain stimulation or to only receive medical therapy, which stood as the control group (Okun, 2012). In both the treatment and control group, follow up appointments of the subjects occurred at three months, six months, and one year (Okun, 2012). The Okun (2012) article

The implant provides the individual with low-resolution images by electrically stimulating the retinal cells. It relies on stimulating the bipolar cells and using the middle and outer retinal layers to process the visual stimuli. It then generates electrical signals which are from the incoming light. (E. Zrenner, 2002).The stimulation can be helpful in providing the necessary adjustments for an individual to regain their object recognition. The aim of retinal implants is to serve as a replacement for the lost/damaged retinal cells which is used in many medical fields today.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a neurosurgical procedure introduced in 1987. This procedure uses the implantation of a medical device called neurostimulator. A neurostimulator sends electrical impulses, through implanted electrodes, to specific targets in the brain for the treatment of movement and neuropsychiatric (branch of medicine that deals with mental disorders) disorders. DBS in select brain regions has provided therapeutic benefits for disorders such as Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, chronic pain, major depression and obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). DBS and its underlying principles and mechanisms are still not clear. DBS directly changes brain activity in a controlled manner, its effects are reversible unlike other techniques, and it is one of only a few neurosurgical methods that allow blinded studies. Deep Brain Stimulation is approved by FDA in USA.

Deep-brain stimulation Is a surgical procedure that implants a device known as a neurostimulator which is used to electrically stimulate portions of the brain to treat movement and or affective

BCI transmits images into the mind of a blind person which allows them to see.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS): is a non-invasive technique that utilizes electrical impulses to stimulate areas of the cerebral cortex, spinal roots, and cranial and peripheral nerves. TMS can be used to stimulate neurons to promote measurable effects that can be useful in examining the excitability of the cerebral cortex and its associated anatomical connections. TMS may also be useful in accessing the pathophysiology behind the neural activity that take place within several neurological and psychiatric disorders, and it may provide clinicians with a valuable insight to not only diagnose, but treat these various conditions.

The electrode was attached to a plastic connector for the external pulse generator and inserted in the BLn. The connector was rested on the surface of the skull and extended through the skin. The electrode and its connector were secured in place with dental cement anchored

There are hundreds of different diseases that can change the way your brain works, and these alterations can have drastic effects on your health. Understanding and explaining these different diseases takes lots of time and money, and includes research into the smallest and most complex parts of your body. By studying our nervous systems, scientists are able to see how our body communicates. Through both electrical and hormonal signals, our brain is instantly connected to every system in our body. These signals help with our growth, our development, the maintenance of internal conditions, our emotions, our senses and near enough everything else that our body does. But how does it all work? Our brains run on electricity. Just like the lights in your house, our brains need electric currents in order to function properly. This principle also applies to our ‘neurons’. Neurons are found all over the body, and are how the body communicates with the brain electrically. All neurons need a change in the environment in order to be stimulated. For example, on your skin you have receptors which detect pain. Burning your hand would be a change in the external environment, and would be considered a stimulus to your neurons. This stimulus then triggers an impulse, which is passed through millions of neurons leading all the way up to either your spinal cord or your brain. From here a response is produced, like pulling your hand away. This response again, travels through the neurons until it

Brain imaging techniques enable doctors and researchers to view activity or issues within the human brain without invasive surgical operation. Some widely used imaging technologies are CT, MRI, PET and SPECT as shown in Fig.2. CT and MRI give physical aspects of the brain, whereas PET and SPECT shows the actual working of the brain. Out of these, CT and MRI are most widely used in the identification