Scientists at NTU Singapore found a new way to treat
dementia by sending electrical impulses to specific areas in the brain to
enhance the growth of new brain cells. This procedure is therapeutic because it
turns out that this procedure has already been used in some parts of the world
to treat various neurological conditions such as tremors or Dystonia. The
scientists discovered that this deep brain simulation can be used to enhance
growth of brain cells which mitigates the harmful effects of dementia-related
conditions and improves short and long-term memory. By stimulating the front
part of the brain involved in memory retention with very small amounts of
electricity, new brain cells or neurons can be formed. The increase in brain
cells will then reduce anxiety and depression and promote improved learning and
boosts overall memory formation and retention.
I don’t know anyone with dementia personally, but the fact that scientists have found that they are able to enhance growth of new brain cells by stimulating specific parts of the brain with electrical impulses is amazing. Because through finding this out, it could lead to so many new research opportunities! Not only to help people with dementia, but with enhanced growth of brain cells, many diseases that have to do with the brain can be helped and possibly cured like with depression. The article mentions that it could come to help reduce depression as well as anxiety. I learned in class that there is medication for people with depression, but some people have negative side effects from the medication like an increase in anxiety. With this new finding, people with depression will be able to have an enhanced growth of brain cells to reduce both their depression and anxiety which would help a couple friends I know with depression.
The
article mentions that this research has also opened new opportunities for
developing novel treatment solutions for patients suffering from memory loss
due to dementia-related conditions such as Alzheimer’s and even Parkinson’s
disease! So through finding out that these electrical impulses can stimulate
growth of brain cells is such a great benefit in so many ways because of how
many diseases link to the brain in general.
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