Seven Positive Life-Changing Neuro Techniques-

 

Seven Positive Life-Changing Neuro Techniques-

In the coming years, several non-invasive neurotechniques will emerge that will improve our mental health, improve our memories and even change the lives of many patients with brain diseases. Find out more about them here..

When you think of the future of humanity, you probably immediately imagine the presence of sophisticated technology, such as neuroengineers. In fact, the union of humans and machines is almost inevitable. It's an idea that writers like Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, and Philip K. Dick envisioned in many of their novels.

In a way, that future is already here. After all, none of us can imagine what life would be like without our technological resources. With the arrival of artificial intelligence projects like ChatGPT, our ways of working will change over time. In fact, revolutionary technological advances are happening with devices that are connected directly to our brains.

An example is Neuralink, devised by businessman and tycoon Elon Musk. This company specializes in the development of computer-brain interfaces. They are now waiting to test different chips on humans. Thus, there will soon be non-invasive neurotechniques that will be a complete revolution in the field of mental health.

In fact, what once seemed like the stuff of science fiction will be a hopeful reality in a few years.

"Magic is just science we don't understand yet."

Brain stimulation for the treatment of depression is a technique already in use. However, it will improve in the coming years.

Neurotechniques that can change our lives

We know that technological advances have already brought countless benefits to the medical field. However, in the fields of neuroscience and mental health, it does not appear that any major milestones have been achieved so far. That said, there are more sophisticated resources for exploring the brain. For example, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

In recent years, new technologies combined with state-of-the-art computational analysis, modeling and artificial intelligence have changed things. For example, we can see what happens at the neurological level in several mental states. This makes it easier to develop more effective treatments. In addition, it helps us to understand these mental states more deeply.

Neuroengineering aims to improve the health and potential of the human brain. In fact, this area is increasingly attracting interest and investment from large companies. We will explore some future developments in this area which, as we mentioned earlier, are non-invasive resources.

One of the most promising neurotechniques is related to cranial stimulation. It aims to reduce suicidal thoughts in the younger population.

1. Search for biomarkers for chronic pain and depression

Artificial intelligence added to electroencephalography (EEG) and Big Data will soon enable better diagnoses. For example, a patient only needs to put on a cap with different electrodes to get an accurate picture of their brain activity. Thanks to these resources, experts will be able to compare information and get the exact patterns for many conditions.

The most advanced developments are those related to chronic pain and depression. For example, the Technical University of Munich is developing Neurotech, an innovation area that strives to provide better care in the field of mental health.

2. Brain stimulation to treat depression in young people

Deep brain stimulation is a method that has already been used successfully in the treatment of severe depression. As you know, some patients require special care interventions. This is because neither psychological nor pharmaceutical treatments often offer any improvement for them.

These are young people between the ages of 16 and 24 with depression and suicidal behaviour. In this field, experts have developed a device that stimulates the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. This technique reduces depressive symptoms when combined with cognitive training.

3. Neurotechnicians who assist the brain

Companies such as Medtronic, Neuropace and St. Jude Medical has developed technologies that improve the quality of life for many people. Although we tend to think only of Elon Musk's Neuralink project, the truth is that there are many organizations working on specific advances that will soon see the light of day.

One such project is to develop devices that prevent epileptic seizures. There will also be techniques that, through continuous monitoring, improve the administration of certain drugs according to the patient's needs.

In addition, patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) will have robotic aids. Thanks to these, they will be able to drive and have greater autonomy during the different phases of their illness.

4. Virtual reality treatments for trauma

Other neurotechniques already used in psychological therapy are those related to virtual reality (VR). They are currently extremely useful in the treatment of phobias and dementia, and for the treatment of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). But soon another step will be taken.

Within a few years, a virtual reality technology combined with brain stimulation will be developed to treat patients with post-traumatic stress disorder. Through the use of gradual sessions, this treatment will try to eliminate the negative effects caused by painful experiences.

5. Specialized video games for cognitive training

Many of us play games on our cell phones to train our memory capacity. These are consequently useful resources for older people as they offer good cognitive stimulation. This is an important area of ​​neuroengineering and it no doubt explains why specialized video games are developed for this purpose.

Therefore, cognitive training aimed at improving fluid intelligence, as well as working memory, is a resource that will soon be available to us.

Video games that train cognitive skills will be useful in promoting healthier aging and improving skills in children, as well as in people who have suffered neurological damage.

6. Units for concentration and self-regulation

In an increasingly stimulating world where we are constantly multitasking, attention is almost on the verge of extinction. Consequently, it is now difficult for us to focus our mental resources on individual activities. Concentrating is exhausting and our minds escape us. This feeds stress and feelings of low productivity.

The wearable technology worn like watches or headphones will soon have a different purpose. In fact, experts design devices to improve our attention and promote calm and emotional self-regulation. Will this mean the end of the anxiety? We'll have to wait and see.

7. Neuroengineering with brain-computer interface

Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) systems are already here. They consist of interfaces that connect the human mind to the computer, to translate its thoughts and transfer them to electronic devices. We know this may sound like science fiction, but we need to analyze what they are made of if we want to understand their usefulness.

These new technologies detect and decode the electrical activity of neurons. In turn, they send the messages to a device that performs a specific action. In fact, brain-computer interfaces are neurotechnologies that fulfill the rehabilitation of lost functions. This would be life-changing for patients with nodular lesions or who have suffered a stroke.

Conclusion

We often tend to consider the risks associated with technological revolutions. For example, chatbots and artificial intelligence. But as always when it comes to science, the key lies in how we use it.

Today, there are certain neurotechnologies that already form part of many therapeutic and medical environments. But in the future, there will be new and exceptional resources with the sole goal of improving our quality of life in many areas. This is the best goal of all, a purpose that, while it may have seemed like magic in the past, will probably come to fruition sooner than we could have ever imagined.

Structure and Function of the Central Nervous System-

The central nervous system (CNS) is comprised of the brain and spinal cord. The three broad functions of the CNS are to take in sensory information, process information, and send out motor signals.

The CNS receives sensory information from the nervous system and controls the body's responses. The central nervous system plays a primary role in receiving information from various areas of the body and then coordinating this activity to produce the body's responses.1

American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Anatomy of the brain.

The CNS is differentiated from the peripheral nervous system, which involves all of the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord that carry messages to the CNS.

This article discusses the structures that make up the central nervous system and how they function. It also explores some of the diseases and conditions that can affect the CNS.

Central Nervous System Structure

The CNS has three main components: the brain, the spinal cord, and the neurons (or nerve cells). Each part of the CNS plays an important role in how the body functions, and the three components of the CNS work together to take in information and control how the body responds.

The Brain

The brain controls many of the body's functions including sensation, thought, movement, awareness, and memory. The surface of the brain is known as the cerebral cortex. The surface of the cortex appears bumpy thanks to the grooves and folds of the tissue. Each groove is known as a sulcus, while each bump is known as a gyrus.

The largest part of the brain is the cerebrum. It is responsible for functions such as memory, speech, voluntary behaviors, and thought.1

The cerebrum is divided into two hemispheres, the right hemisphere and the left hemisphere. The right hemisphere controls movements on the body's left side, while the left hemisphere controls movements on the body's right side.

While some functions do tend to be lateralized, researchers have found that there are not "left brained" or "right brained" thinkers, as the old myth implies.2 Both sides of the brain work together to produce various functions.

Each hemisphere of the brain is then divided into four interconnected lobes:

Frontal lobes are associated with higher cognition, voluntary movements, and language.

Occipital lobes are associated with visual processes.

Parietal lobes are associated with processing sensory information.

Temporal lobes are associated with hearing and interpreting sounds as well as the formation of memories.

Other important areas of the brain include the basal ganglia, cerebellum, Broca's area, corpus callosum, medulla oblongata, hypothalamus, thalamus, and amygdala.

Recap

The brain is the part of the central nervous system that controls many of the functions of the body, including movement, thought, learning, and awareness.

Spinal Cord

The spinal cord connects to the brain via the brain stem and then runs down through the spinal canal, located inside the vertebrae. The spinal cord carries information from various parts of the body to and from the brain.

While it varies from one individual to the next, the spinal cord is about 18 inches in length. At the brainstem, 31 spinal nerves enter into the spinal cord.3 The nerves of the spinal cord consist of:

8 cervical nerves

12 thoracic nerves

5 lumbar nerves

5 sacral nerves

1 coccygeal nerve

In the case of some reflex movements, responses are controlled by spinal pathways without involvement from the brain. Examples include the Golgi tendon reflex, the crossed extensor reflex, and the stretch reflex.

Recap

The spinal cord carries information from the brain to the rest of the body and transmits signals from the body to the brain. 

Neurons

Neurons are the building blocks of the central nervous system. Billions of these nerve cells can be found throughout the body and communicate with one another to produce physical responses and actions.

Neurons are the body's information superhighway. An estimated 86 billion neurons can be found in the brain alone.4

Most neurons are divided into three basic sections: dendrites, cell body, and axon. These cells also differ in terms of function. The three types of neurons are afferent neurons, efferent neurons, and interneurons. 

Efferent neurons are motor neurons that carry signals from the brain to the peripheral nervous system. Afferent neurons are sensory neurons that bring information from the senses to the brain. Interneurons are association neurons that connect efferent and afferent neurons to the central nervous system.

Recap

Neurons are the cells that make up the central nervous system. They are responsible for communicating information throughout the body.

Protective Structures

Since the CNS is so important, it is protected by a number of structures. First, the entire CNS is enclosed in bone. The brain is protected by the skull. The spinal cord is encased by the vertebrae that make up the spinal column.3 

The brain and spinal cord are both covered with a protective tissue known as meninges. There are three layers of meninges protecting the brain and spinal cord:

Dura mater: From the Latin words meaning "hard mother," this is the top layer of the meninges found directly under the bones of the skull and vertebrae. It is composed of dense connective tissue.

Arachnoid mater: The second layer of the meninges is a spider-like, transparent membrane made up of collagen and elastic fibers.5

Pia mater: From the Latin for "soft mother," this protective layer is the innermost layer of the meninges. It is made of delicate connective tissue that is filled with tiny blood vessels that provide nourishment for the brain.6

The entire CNS is also immersed in a substance known as cerebrospinal fluid, which forms a chemical environment that allows nerve fibers to transmit information effectively as well as offering yet another layer of protection from potential damage.1

Recap

The CNS is protected by structures including the skull, spinal vertebrae, meninges, and cerebrospinal fluid.

Diseases of the Central Nervous System

There are a number of problems and diseases that can affect the CNS. Damage or disease to the central nervous system can produce a range of effects.  Some of the conditions that can impact the CNS include:

Degenerative diseases: Diseases such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease can cause the degeneration of cells in pivotal areas of the brain, affecting functions such as movement and memory.

Infections: Viruses, bacteria, and fungi can invade the central nervous system, causing symptoms and/or damage.

Stroke: A blockage of blood flow to the brain prevents oxygen from reaching the tissues of the brain. This results in damage to the affected area and can lead to impairment or death.

Trauma: Injury to the CNS can cause a number of problems ranging from paralysis to death.

Tumors: Cancerous and benign tumors can grow in different areas of the CNS. The impact of these tumors depends on their location and size. 

Recap

A variety of diseases and other problems can affect the CNS, including infections, trauma, tumors, and degenerative conditions. Such diseases and damage can lead to impairment and sometimes death.

Samuel