Electrodes and Their Effect on Brain Function In the article, “Jumper Cables for The Mind”, Dan Hurley describes his experience with tDCS (transcranial direct-current stimulation) and if its process changes brain activity to cause quick reaction time, better memory, improved mental health, and even the ability to solve equations. This stimulation process involves the attachment of wires, (similar to what is used in an EEG), to the head on certain areas for specific targets of the brain. It is a short session and allows an analyzation to see if any changes had been made by doing a simple test exercise on a computer. Successful results will show improved reaction time and less problems marked wrong on the exercise.…
Although dementia lacks a cure, treatment can help improve some functions. Different types of treatment are given depending on the stage of the illness in a person and its cause. Treatments that help with the progressive forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer's, include drug treatments. These drug treatments may improve symptoms temporarily, and non drug treatments may help alleviate some symptoms. Research to find new cures of dementia needs funding and more volunteers to participate in clinical studies so that we may one day hold the cure to…
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a surgical procedure used to treat a variety of disabling neurological symptoms, most commonly symptoms, of Parkinson’s disease. This specific procedure is used to treat individuals whose symptoms cannot be controlled my medication alone (Breit et al, 2004). DBS uses a surgically implanted, battery-operated medical device called an implantable pulse generator (IPG) to deliver electrical stimulation to specific areas in the brain that control movement, thus blocking the abnormal nerve signals that cause PD symptoms(Breit et al, 2004). The DBS system consists of three components: the lead, the extension, and the IPG.…
Deep Brain Stimulation Deep brain stimulation is a surgery that involves the implanting of electrodes in certain areas of the patient’s brain. Electrical impulses are produced by these electrodes to regulate any abnormal impulses in the brain. These electrical impulses can also affect certain chemicals and cells in the brain. The amount of stimulation that the brain receives in this procedure is controlled by a device, much like a pacemaker, placed under the patient’s skin in the upper chest. A wire travels under the skin to connect this device to the electrodes.…
Changes in Tissue Homeostasis of the Elderly That Result in Altered Cognitive; Motor Abilities. As we age, homeostasis is harder to achieve within all of our cells. The cardiac muscle tissue and the walls of the blood vessels thicken, decreasing the amount of oxygen and nutrients that is pumped out to the entire body. The thickness of the blood vessels makes it hard for nutrients to enter the other tissues body, and for wastes to leave these tissues.…
Alzheimer’s is a common memory disease that affects many people in the United States. An estimate of “5.3 million people in the United states have Alzheimer’s disease.” (Latest Alzheimer 's Facts and Figures. (2013, September 17). Retrieved October 11, 2015.)…
In its early stages, memory loss is mild, but with late-stage Alzheimer's, individuals lose the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to their environment.…
Deep Brain Stimulation Implantation Deep brain stimulation implantation is a procedure to insert a device that will send an electrical current to an area of the brain that is causing problems. This may be done to treat various medical conditions, such as: • Parkinson disease. • Essential tremor. • Epilepsy. • Inherited disorders of muscle movement (dystonias).…
A procedure called deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a procedure where brain surgery is performed to insert electrical leads directly into a patient’s brain tissue. These electrical leads are threaded out into a generator in the front chest area. Dubbed the “brain pacemaker,” the generator discharges bursts of electricity (controlled by a remote) to prevent tremors, which can impair a patient’s ability to speak and walk. These tremors are a side effect of Parkinson’s disease and can be visibly reduced or eliminated using this procedure. DBS surgery has been around since the 90’s, however it has significantly improved with the leads ability to target specific parts of the brain and the size of the generator decreasing and its capabilities increasing.…
Alzheimer’s (AHLZ-high-merz) is a disease of the brain that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. It is not a normal part of aging. The greatest known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease is increasing age. Most individuals with the illness are 65 and older. Other risk factors includes: Age, family history and genetics are all risk factors we can’t change.…
Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most deadly diseases and could be classified as one of the silent killers in life. It could be considered a silent killer because most people that have the disease are not diagnosed with it until it is way too late. Since this is such a complex disease there is no cure only medicine to slow down the spreading. The best way to slow down the disease is to be checked regularly. The worst thing is to have it and have no idea that you are living with a disease that is destroying your brain.…
“We’re really a composite of our life experiences, memory layered upon memory, and Alzheimer’s steals that away.” Meryl Comer. This quote says it all. Imagine having dear memories ripped from the mind and how frustrating and confusing it must be to face each day. Alzheimer’s is one of the most misunderstood and severe diseases of the mind.…
What are all of the components an individual should know about Alzheimer’s disease? This is a question not many people ask or even understand too much. I feel that a lot of people are curious to what alzheimers disease really is and what a person living with this disease or even a loved one goes through. Sure, knowing that it’s a type of dementia is key, but alzheimers disease is so much more than that. We live our lives one day at a time and in those days we make memories we cherish the rest of our lives.…
Alzheimer’s Association also defines the word “dementia” as a general term we use for the decline of memory loss and mental ability for everyday life. Just hearing those definitions, most people still won’t understand why we need a cure, or they use these words carelessly and in the wrong situations. According to the Alzheimer’s Association Foundation, in both cases, the neurons of the brain who has the disease “break connections with other nerve cells and ultimately die.”…
This process has helped in treating patients diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disese, Tourette syndrome, epilepsy, chronic headaches, and mental disorders. After the patient is unconscious, through anesthesia, brain pacemakers or electrodes, are implanted into the region of the brain where the cause of the disease is present. The region of the brain is then stimulated by electric current to disrupt the oncoming surge of seizures. “Like all invasive procedures, deep brain stimulation may put the patient at a higher risk”. Even if, there have been more improvements in recent years with deep brain stimulation than any available drug…