Magnetic fields prevent editor from talking (w/ video)
April 12, 2011 by Lisa Zyga in Medical research
In this image from the video below, New Scientist editor Roger Highfield demonstrates the impact of TMS. Image credit: New Scientist.
(PhysOrg.com) -- By holding an electromagnet close to a persons skull, researchers can alter the neuron activity in the persons brain. This technique, called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), can be used for a variety of reasons, such as improving visual memory, impairing the brains activity to make moral judgments, and treating ADHD and severe depression. To demonstrate the kind of immediate and powerful impact that TMS can have, New Scientist editor Roger Highfield tried to recite the nursery rhyme "Humpty Dumpty," but found that his speech was interrupted by a magnetic field.
In the video below, Vincent Walsh from the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London uses magnets to turn off the speech center in Highfields brain for a fraction of a second. Walsh also demonstrates the method on himself.
TMS inhibits the speech center in New Scientist editor Roger Highfield's brain. The loud clicking sounds are caused by rapid deformation of the TMS coil. Video credit: New Scientist.
As this demonstration implies, TMS is generally considered to be safe. Although there have been a few cases of fainting and seizures, the risk is considered very low.
When TMS is applied to most areas of the brain, participants do not consciously experience any effect, although their behavior changes. One exception is that, when TMS is applied to the visual cortex, participants may see flashes of light.
Walsh and his colleagues are investigating how TMS can be used to treat migraines and strokes. As he explains in the video, sometimes migraines are caused by too much activity in the visual brain area, and sometimes by too little activity. TMS could potentially balance this activity out. If a person feels a migraine coming on, they could put electrodes on their head that provide very small currents to the brain to reduce pain for up to 90 minutes at a time.
More information: via: New Scientist and PopSci
© 2010 PhysOrg.com
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Apr 12, 2011
Rank: 1.4 / 5 (11)
somebody is using techonology like this for over 40 years
thy should use scalar wawes haarp or can zoom in on spicfic target from satelites can u guess who are they?:)
gotta love to see news posted like something new when its in active use for more then 4 decades
Apr 12, 2011
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Apr 12, 2011
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There's no convincing the paranoid (^this guy^). Just ignore him and he'll return to his EMR shielded basement.
Apr 12, 2011
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Nothing in there has a parallel in 1984.
Apr 12, 2011
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Apr 13, 2011
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;)
Apr 13, 2011
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Apr 13, 2011
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Apr 13, 2011
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I wouldn't be surprised if it were possible. Though, arousal and what not might involve too many section to manipulate properly (opposed to just briefly interfering with the speech center in a rather crude fashion)
Apr 14, 2011
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Larry Niven had this idea for a device he called a 'tasp'.
http://en.wikiped...ction%29
Apr 16, 2011
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I is known fact that tin foil does not prevent magnetic fields, so tin foil is only protective against electrical fields.
Apr 17, 2011
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Of course I can guess! It is Marvin the Martian. Easy!
Apr 19, 2011
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Magnetic fields ARE electrical fields by Maxwell's law.
Apr 19, 2011
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Apr 27, 2011
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