by Arizha Bumatay
Electromagnetic stimulation alters brain organization to make brain work better as stated in the newly published Journal of Neuroscience.
Researchers from The University of Western Australia and the Université Pierre et Marie Curie in France spearheaded the study by using weak sequential electromagnetic pulses—repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)—on experimental mice, born with abnormal neural connections, to test its efficiency in shifting ‘loose’ connections to a more normal locations.
Pulsed magnetic stimulation at low intensity (LI-rTMS) could also reduce abnormally located neural connections altering them towards their proper location in the brain, which was tested by Research Associate Professor Jennifer Rodger, UWA’s School of Animal Biology together with her colleagues, Ms. Makowiecki said on reports.
PhD candidate Kalina Makowiecki, lead author of the study, said the reorganization was associated with changes in a specific brain chemical, occurs in several brain regions, across the whole network.
Critically, the therapy might have some minimal side effects to human since the said structural reorganization was not present in the healthy brain or even in the appropriate connections of the abnormal mice.
“Our findings greatly increase our understanding of the specific cellular and molecular events that occur in the brain during this therapy and have implications for how best to use it in humans to treat disease and improve brain function,” she added.
The therapy is commonly used for treating many neurological disorders related to abnormal brain organization such as depression, epilepsy and tinnitus.
Therapy has shown minimal side effects on people who have undergone the therapy but it was not serious at all and was temporary. Minimal side effects were tingling, numbness, warm sensations, sleep disorders, headache and irritability.
Researchers from The University of Western Australia and the Université Pierre et Marie Curie in France spearheaded the study by using weak sequential electromagnetic pulses—repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)—on experimental mice, born with abnormal neural connections, to test its efficiency in shifting ‘loose’ connections to a more normal locations.
Pulsed magnetic stimulation at low intensity (LI-rTMS) could also reduce abnormally located neural connections altering them towards their proper location in the brain, which was tested by Research Associate Professor Jennifer Rodger, UWA’s School of Animal Biology together with her colleagues, Ms. Makowiecki said on reports.
PhD candidate Kalina Makowiecki, lead author of the study, said the reorganization was associated with changes in a specific brain chemical, occurs in several brain regions, across the whole network.
Critically, the therapy might have some minimal side effects to human since the said structural reorganization was not present in the healthy brain or even in the appropriate connections of the abnormal mice.
“Our findings greatly increase our understanding of the specific cellular and molecular events that occur in the brain during this therapy and have implications for how best to use it in humans to treat disease and improve brain function,” she added.
The therapy is commonly used for treating many neurological disorders related to abnormal brain organization such as depression, epilepsy and tinnitus.
Therapy has shown minimal side effects on people who have undergone the therapy but it was not serious at all and was temporary. Minimal side effects were tingling, numbness, warm sensations, sleep disorders, headache and irritability.
Publication: Kalina Makowiecki, et al., “Low-Intensity Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Improves Abnormal Visual Cortical Circuit Topography and Upregulates BDNF in Mice,” The Journal of Neuroscience, 6 August 2014, 34(32): 10780-10792; doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0723-14.2014; Source: University of Western Australia
Source: Science. (2014, August 7). Retrieved from Scitech Daily: http://scitechdaily.com/magnetic-stimulation-shifts-abnormal-neural-connections-towards-correct-locations/
Staff, M. C. (2012, November 20). Risks. Retrieved from Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/transcranial-magnetic-stimulation/basics/risks/prc-20020555
Source: Science. (2014, August 7). Retrieved from Scitech Daily: http://scitechdaily.com/magnetic-stimulation-shifts-abnormal-neural-connections-towards-correct-locations/
Staff, M. C. (2012, November 20). Risks. Retrieved from Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/transcranial-magnetic-stimulation/basics/risks/prc-20020555