Neuroscience Newsroom 2: Our neurophysiology unit covers the basic mechanisms of neural communication, but happens when these processes go awry? When neurons are overexcited it can lead to issues like epilepsy and anxiety, while excessive inhibition in key areas is associated with depression and sleep disorders, just to name a few. New treatments for various disorders use brain stimulation to increase or decrease neural activity by manipulating the neurophysiological processes that well be discussing in class.
For this Neuroscience Newsroom, find an article that describes the use of brain stimulation to treat a neurological disorder. There are many types of brain stimulation, both invasive and noninvasive, so look for articles that include the following specific techniques:
Deep Brain Stimulation: invasive technique involves surgically implanted electrodes to stimulate brain activity
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS): noninvasive technique uses a magnetic field placed on the scalp to change the activity of neurons below the surface
Transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS): noninvasive technique uses electrodes placed on the scalp to change the activity of neurons below the surface
Transcranial alternating current stimulation (TACS): similar to TDCS, but neurons are stimulated at a specific frequency to induce neural oscillations
Optogenetics: used mostly in animal models, this technique involves genetically modifying neurons to express light sensitive proteins, which allows them to be precisely controlled with fiber optic cables.
Once you have found your article, please answer the following questions for this assignment. As always, remember to leave your name off the submission but include an informative title.
What article did you select, and why does it interest you? Please include a direct link.
What disorder are the researchers trying to treat, and what neurophysiological malfunctions are associated with it?
What is the brain stimulation technique actually doing, on a neurophysiological level? (e.g. changing the resting potential? exciting neurons? inhibiting neurons? causing action potentials?)
Based on the results, would you recommend this treatment? Why or why not?