| Scientists have created a fairly recent invention called | | | | extremely distressing as they can make mean |
| deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). | | | | comments to the individual. Using brain imaging, |
| Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a relatively | | | | scientists have found that an area of the brain called |
| new treatment modality for brain disorders that was | | | | the left temporoparietal cortex is overactive when |
| first introduced in 1985. Over the course of the past | | | | patients are experiencing these auditory hallucinations. |
| 10 years, it has been shown to improve a myriad | | | | So by using deep TMS, scientists may be able to |
| number of brain disorders including schizophrenia, | | | | decrease activity in these overactive brain areas and |
| migraines and major depression. | | | | this could reduce the auditory hallucinations that |
| The main idea behind this technology is that a TMS | | | | schizophrenics experience. |
| device generates an electromagnetic pulse that goes | | | | Researchers are also using this device to treat many |
| through a person's skull and this pulse then creates | | | | of the symptoms that are associated with |
| an electric current in a targeted area of that person's | | | | depression. They are targeting directly brain regions |
| brain. When scientists change the frequency of the | | | | that are involved in a person's ability to experience |
| electromagnetic pulse, they can either increase or | | | | reward and pleasure. Electrical stimulation of a brain |
| decrease activity selectively in any brain area. Low | | | | area called the nucleus accumbens has been shown |
| frequency pulses inhibit brain activity, while high | | | | to be rewarding. However up until recently, patients |
| frequency pulses excite brain activity. The problem, | | | | had to undergo risky brain surgery to get a brain |
| though, with existing TMS is that it can penetrate | | | | implant to stimulate this area. Now, though, scientists |
| only about 1-2 cm into the brain. So this means that it | | | | will be able to non-invasively stimulate the nucleus |
| is basically limited to activating or deactivating brain | | | | accumbens without the need for brain surgery. |
| regions that are near to the subject's skull. | | | | Depressed patients usually experience anhedonia (the |
| Recently, scientists have invented a new deep | | | | inability to experience pleasure) along with dysphoric |
| transcranial magnetic stimulation device that is able to | | | | mood. The anhedonia is due to dysfunction of the |
| reach further into the brain. This device is able to | | | | reward circuits of the brain. So by using deep TMS, |
| inhibit or excite more areas that were previously out | | | | researchers can reduce chronic apathy and anhedonia |
| of reach with the older TMS devices. Deep TMS has | | | | in depressd patients by stimulating these reward |
| the ability to touch practically any brain area. Usually | | | | related regions. |
| disorders of the mind have brain areas that are either | | | | The researchers have already performed several |
| overactive or underactive in comparison to a normal | | | | clinical studies on over 100 depressed patients. They |
| brain. | | | | have found deep tms can improve or relieve |
| This new technology can normalize abnormal brain | | | | anhedonia in more than 50% of the patients. So this |
| activity by non-invasive stimulation. The major benefit | | | | treatment may allow a depressed patients to enjoy |
| to deep TMS is that it can be performed on a person | | | | their life more than they would otherwise. In a study |
| when they are wide awake and completely | | | | done on bipolar depressed patients, the researchers |
| conscious. So this device is very easy to use and it | | | | discovered that about 80% of the patients |
| has few side effects. This is in comparison to drugs | | | | responded to the treatment, while 50% of them |
| which often have many nasty side effects that go | | | | experienced a significant improvement in their |
| along with taking them. | | | | depression symptoms. The scientists have even |
| Scientists are testing the deep TMS device on people | | | | tested the deep TMS on normal healthy volunteers |
| who are overweight or obese to help them lose | | | | without a mood problem. The researchers have |
| weight. They are non-invasively stimulating the | | | | claimed that it improved the mood of these normal |
| hypothalamus which is a structure located deep | | | | people. So this treatment may even enable a |
| within the brain. The hypothalamus secretes | | | | seemingly normal healthy person to get more |
| hormones and is involved in metabolic processes. So | | | | enjoyment from their life. |
| by stimulating this area researchers may enable a | | | | This new deep TMS technology shows enormous |
| person to lose weight. The overweight person | | | | potential for several different brain disorders. It could |
| wouldn't even have to do any dieting or exercising, all | | | | potentially allow a person to lose weight, experience |
| they would have to do is undergo several 30 minute | | | | more pleasure in life and reduce hallucinations (in |
| treatment sessions. | | | | schizophrenics). It may also find use for practically |
| Researchers are using the deep tms device to | | | | any brain disorder associated with altered brain |
| reduce the auditory hallucinations that are found in | | | | functioning. Deep tms certainly has the potential to |
| schizophrenic patients. Around 50 to 70 percent of | | | | revolutionize the treatment of brain disorders in the |
| schizophrenic patients can hear voices that do not | | | | future. |
| exist in real life. These imaginary voices can be | | | | |