Neurotechnology

People around the globe would definitely want to delete all the bad memories of their life, and neurotechnology is expected to make this possible in future. It has been predicted that by 2040, manipulation of memories, such as eradication of unhappy ones, is definitely possible. In this blog, we will get to know more about the development and future avenues of neurotechnology. Human beings are fascinated towards increasing their focus and this is possible with amalgamation neuroscience and technology. The term "neurotechnology" refers to the combination of techniques and tools that provide a direct link between technological elements and the nervous system. These technological elements might be electrodes, computers, or artificial intelligence devices. They are designed to either "translate" brain impulses into technical control orders by recording them, or they might be used to stimulate the brain via electrical or visual stimulation.

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How Neurotechnology is Being Used?

Scientists are applying neurotechnology in the wellness and medical domains. Two of the prominent utilizations of nanotechnology are-

• 1- Neuro Stimulations - By using neuro simulations, electrical signals are provided to particular parts of the patient spinal cord or brain. The neuro stimulations procedures are used to treat conditions such as movement disorders, Parkinson’s diseases, epilepsy etc.
• 2- Brain Imaging - Brain imaging is a technique which develops interaction between particle radiation and brain tissue. It is used to develop corresponding brain maps.

Importance of Developing and Researching Neuro Technologies:

The potential of neurotechnology market lies in the ability to reduce the human perils by providing better treatments. Many people may harness benefit for treatments of severe diseases like Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, along with medical applications, these technologies have the ability to upraise the day to day human experience. For instance, neurotechnology can be utilized to enhance cognitive ability and reinvigorate physical performance.

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Types of Neurotechnology:

Several types of neurotechnology can be used to improve brain function and help people with specific conditions. These technologies include:

• Deep Brain Stimulation – Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a cognitive-enhancing procedure that uses electrical currents to modulate neuronal activity in the brain. This can be used to treat neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and depression. There are two main types of DBS: primary DBS therapy and adjunctive DBS therapy.

  1) Primary DBS therapy involves using an implantable device that sends electrical current directly into specific areas of the brain.

  2) Adjunctive DBSD treatment occurs when electrodes are placed on top of existing spinal implants and wires lead from these devices into critical regions of the cerebral cortex where they send or block electric impulses according to need. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages, but overall, there appears to be evidence that primary DBSD is more effective than adjunctive treatments for treating certain conditions such as OCD and major depressive episodes. DBS has been performed on more than 160,000 individuals worldwide for a range of neurological and non-neurological problems, and the number of patients is rising every year.

• Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation – A changing magnetic field is used to create an electric current in a particular region of the brain by electromagnetic induction in transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a noninvasive method of brain stimulation. A magnetic coil is attached to the scalp by an electric pulse generator, sometimes known as a stimulator. The coil in the stimulator produces a fluctuating electric current that causes a fluctuating magnetic field, which induces a current inside a specific area of the brain. TMS produces a clinically significant response in 50% to 60% of depressed patients who have tried and failed to benefit from medication. Neither electrode implantation nor surgery is needed for TMS. Diagnostic and therapeutic uses may be separated from its utilization. The total number of magnetic pulses delivered depends on the duration of the therapy, the frequency and strength of the magnetic pulses, and the effects.

  1) Diagnosis - TMS, most often using single or paired magnetic pulses, may be used therapeutically to assess the activity and functionality of certain brain circuits in people. The most common use is to measure the relationship between the motor cortex of the central peripheral nervous nervous system to assess injury from previous or ongoing neurologic trauma.

  2) Treatment - Repetitive high-frequency TMS (rTMS), notably in the domains of neurology and mental health, has shown diagnostic and therapeutic potential with the central nervous system in several illness conditions.

• Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation - Transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation technique that has been shown to improve cognitive abilities in healthy adults. The current study investigated the effects of tDCS on working memory performance and resting state connectivity in older adults with mild Alzheimer's disease. Results indicated that tDCS significantly improved working memory performance, as well as task-specific integrity and global efficiency of the hippocampal network. In addition, these changes were not associated with increases in psychological distress or stress levels. A simple "consumer" tDCS device may cost as little as $100, whereas "research-grade" tDCS systems can cost as much as $10,000. Different gadgets have a wide variety of functions and capacities.
• Electrophysiology - Brainwave activity may be measured non-invasively using electroencephalography (EEG). Electrical signals are evaluated using a collection of assets to generate all over the head and scalp. In clinical settings, EEGs are used to examine epilepsy, stroke, and the existence of brain tumors. Similar concepts underlie electrocorticography (ECoG), which calls for the invasive implantation of electrodes on the surface of the brain to more properly record local field potentials or action potentials. The sensitivity and specificity of the EEG were 17.3% in adults and 57.8% in children, respectively, in patients that had a first unprovoked seizure and were monitored for at least a year.
• Neurological Implants - Neurotechnological implants are devices that are used to help people with disabilities or deficits in communication. These implants can be designed to enhance a person’s cognitive abilities, prosthetic capabilities, and/or speech output. There is growing interest in neurotechnological implants due to their potential benefits for people who have difficulties performing everyday activities such as working, interacting with others, or reading. According to around two-thirds (64%) and 55% of respondents, respectively, it seems probable that persons with computer chips in their brains would feel more confident about themselves and be more productive at work.
• Pharmaceuticals - Pharmaceuticals, which are most often used by the general population and in medicine, are crucial for maintaining stable brain chemistry. Drugs that function as chemical modulators in the brain, such as sertraline, methylphenidate, and zolpidem, enable normal activity in many individuals whose brains are unable to work perfectly under extreme pressures. Although they have their area and are often not acknowledged, medicines play one of the largest and most pervasive roles in contemporary culture. Using magnetic particles to deliver drugs to specific parts of the brain is a unique area of inquiry that still doesn't result in circuit damage that can be seen. However, early funding in cognitive neuroscience is still at a healthy level. In 2018, venture capitalists invested $1.5 billion in it.