I’ve talked about hacking a lot on this page, mostly the bad kinds of hacking. But this is the kind of hacking that can improve, repair and even save lives.
This brain hacking technology is called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). England’s Oxford University doctors and scientists are optimistic tDCS can help stroke patients regain arm movement and strength combined with physical therapy. The new treatment places electrodes on the patient’s head. Electrodes run direct currents while the patient is in physical therapy. The positive electrode is attached to the brain’s stroke damaged side. The results weren’t earth shattering miraculous. But there is cause for cautious optimism. Two patients receiving tDCS treatment were significantly better off than before. And MRI scans compare those who had tDCS treatments had more brain activity, particularly the brain area that controlled motor skills, than the patient brains that didn’t go through tDCS. Oxford scientist admit there’s still a long road ahead, especially when it comes to treatment availability. ?For stroke patients, longer and more intensive training leads to greater recovery. However, cost and staff availability limit what can be provided,? said Oxford University neuroscience professor Heidi Johansen-Berg. Other technologies, like the?Microtransponder, has been used in treating strokes.
It should be said tDCS ?is in it’s experimental phase. And success stories are few…for now. It will probably take years for such radical technology to be available and affordable to stroke patients globally. But at least tDCS is a start. And the two success stories…I’ll take those over no success stories. That gives me, and it should give you, hope that tDCS could work. It also gives me hope that people are using technology for good, like fighting illnesses. Too often we read about the evils and social ills of technology. Now, we read how technology can be used to treat one of the leading causes of death in the world. Would you like to hear about good technology more often?