Scientists are creating news tools to change the functioning of the mind to improve several brain disorders. Altering the brain by using non-invasive technology is a part of the neurotechnology field. These new tools are without the same side effects as drugs. Scientists have recently been testing out a relatively new technology known as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to improve brain functioning. The basic idea behind this technology is that you connect electrodes to certain points on your head and then allow a extremely minor 2 millamp current to go through. This may look very nearly the same in effect to electro shock (ECT) but in reality it is really quite different than that treatment. Shock treatment usually requires a person to get anaesthesia and it gives the mind a giant 600 millamp zap that causes a seizure. Shock treatment has a huge affect on the functioning of the entire mind. tDCS, though, is a kind of treatment that is much more accurate. It only stimulates the region of the mind that is exactly underneath the electrode that is near to your head. The electrode attached to the anode part of the battery can enhance neuron activity while the electrode attached to the (-) cathode downregulates neuron firing. So certain brain locations can be selectively activated or deactivated when stimulated using tDCS.

Researchers have discovered that in normal volunteers if they put the anode electrode sponge near a location of the mind named the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (LDPFC) they can improve that subject's ability to create spontaneously a list of novel words. tDCS can also be used to improve working memory which is the ability to hold and manipulate information in your head. tDCS can also ameliorate the symptoms of major depression when that very same region of the brain is stimulated. Scientists have performed one study on patients with major depression already with positive preliminary results. tDCS has also been used to alter the perception of pain, so tDCs may eventually become a new treatment for people who currently have unmanageable pain. tDCS has a multitude other uses. tDCS can change the desire for certain foods when stimulating the DLPFC. It can also , improve spatial tactile acuity, improve naming in aphasia, decrease risk taking behavior and enhance language performance when targeted at certain regions of the brain.


tDCS is an extremely useful kind of treatment. There are quite a few positives to utilizing this new technology. A good aspect about transcranial direct current stimulation is that it is much cheaper to use than transcranial magnetic stimulation. It can be used while a person is wide awake and fully concious, so this allows you to perform brain stimulation on yourself if you know what you are doing. The downside using tDCS is that it can only activate brain locations that are near to your head, it cannot reach deeper brain areas. It is also relatively less selective in its targeting ability when contrasted to transcranial magnetic stimulation.

It may very well be a while before researchers can affirm positively whether this technology is really worthwhile or not. However, tDCS already shows a ton of promise for ameliorating many brain disorders.

By: Michael Webb

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Michael Webb is a blogger. See my blog for more information on these new technologies cranial electrotherapy stimulation, deep brain stimulation and deep transcranial magnetic stimulation.