The brain is an electrical organ. Is therefore capable of being stimulated with microelectrodes. But also with magnetism. Now scientists are exploring the possibility of implanting tiny magnetic coils that can modify brain activity.The use of microelectrodes is increasingly widespread. The most notable is the cochlear implant. A device that has several components. One is a microphone which records the sound. Through wires generated signals are transmitted to the auditory nerve. Thus, the device bypasses the ear and directly stimulates the nerve. The cochlear implant has been a huge relief for the deaf from birth. Two hundred thousand people in the world use them.

The electrode implantation technology is also used in the brain. It's called deep brain stimulation (DBS for short English Deep Brain Stimulation). It is used in Parkinson's, in deep depression and even epilepsy. The idea is to produce a stimulation to restore the normal rhythm of neuronal firing in the brain. The back of the electrical stimulation is magnetism. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a magnetic coil that is applied from outside the brain and produces a magnetic field that changes the brain and changes its state. The TMS is used experimentally and is beginning to be used clinically. By applying a strong magnet may move your hand against their wishes.



What is now in experimentation is the use of small magnets instead of large electrodes or magnets. Has the advantage of electrodes to stimulate the sense that small parts of the brain, not the stimulating TMS large regions. In turn, its effect varies with the orientation of the magnet. In experiments on the retina, the orientation of the magnet changes the populations of excited neurons. If the magnet is placed parallel to the retina, cells activate a group of bipolar flames. When set perpendicular, activate another group of cells called ganglion. A new development in the stimulation of the brain that can allow the relief of many diseases to which today's medication does not answer.

Brain,experimentation,Health,Magnetism,microelectrodes,Technology