What is Brain Stimulation?
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is a type of transhumanism that improves memory and cures neurological diseases as well. It is a technique used to cure certain diseases such as Parkinson's Disease and Alzheimer's Disease. It involves surgically placing probes into certain regions of the brain. The probes are usually placed in the thalamus, which is the directs memory in the brain. The probes emit electrical impulses that are intended to stimulate neurons. Because the electrons are stimulated, they are unlikely to die off, which is what normally occurs for memory loss. Brain Stimulation therefore helps improve memory in individuals that undergo this type of surgery. Because there are very few problems associated with this procedure, its use is becoming more common in treating these diseases, which millions of Americans die from each year.
Obstacles to Overcome
Although brain stimulation has been used with success thousands of times in the United States, there are some risks involved in the procedure. Because surgery is involved, there is always the possibility of an infection occurring in the individual. Death has resulted in about .4% of all patients that have undergone the surgery. Furthermore, some cases have shown memory impairment, and some surgeries have resulted in a change in personality, both of which are detrimental to the patient. However, as technology improves, these risks become less severe. As a result, these problems have shown a decline over the recent years.
The Effectiveness of Brain Stimulation
A study performed by researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, University
of Kentucky and University of Southern California was aimed at increasing memory recollection in monkeys. The study, done in 2012, required 5 monkeys, each of which underwent the brain stimulation. Simple memory tasks were performed by each of the monkeys before and after the surgery. Compared to their preoperative memories, the memories of the monkeys after the surgery were considerably greater. Even after the monkeys were given cocaine, the brain stimulation effectively restored memory. No negative side effects were found in the monkeys. The favorable results of the study have led to the frequent practice of brain stimulation in human brains.
Brain Stimulation in Humans
Brain Stimulation has shown to provide memory improvement in individuals that have received the treatment. Brain Stimulation has been performed on people that have been affected by diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. People who receive this treatment not only showed improved symptoms from these diseases, but also showed improved memory. There are several examples where this has occurred. As stated in the New England Journal of Medicine, several individuals who has epilepsy received the brain stimulation. When the stimulation was turned on, the individuals not only recovered from the epilepsy, but also improved on their I.Q. scores. Memory was successfully improved in these individuals, and more cases of brain stimulation proving to be efficient in humans have become more frequent.
Deep Brain Stimulation is a method of advancing the complexity of the human race. As more is learned about the human brain, brain stimulation is being used to treat neurological disorders and improving human cognition.
Usciences
WRT 102-06
Matthew Fox
Usciences
WRT 102-06
Matthew Fox