Magnetic fields prevent editor from talking (w/ video)

April 12, 2011 by Lisa Zyga in Medical research weblog
TMS

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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 person’s skull, researchers can alter the neuron activity in the person’s brain. This technique, called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), can be used for a variety of reasons, such as improving visual memory, impairing the brain’s 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 Highfield’s 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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ABSOLUTEKNOWLEDGE
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
ODGlenchez
Apr 12, 2011

Rank: 5 / 5 (2)
field strength?
FrankHerbert
Apr 12, 2011

Rank: 1.7 / 5 (6)
;)

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


There's no convincing the paranoid (^this guy^). Just ignore him and he'll return to his EMR shielded basement.
trekgeek1
Apr 12, 2011

Rank: 5 / 5 (4)
I'd be curious to see how well it worked if he was wearing a foil hat.
Husky
Apr 12, 2011

Rank: 5 / 5 (1)
the kings speech reloaded
LWM
Apr 12, 2011

Rank: 4 / 5 (1)
This is a bit scary... some 1984 stuff in there.
lexington
Apr 12, 2011

Rank: not rated yet
This is a bit scary... some 1984 stuff in there.

Nothing in there has a parallel in 1984.
Skeptic_Heretic
Apr 12, 2011

Rank: 5 / 5 (5)
Hey ryggesogn2, dogbert, kevinrtrs, I bought you guys new hats.
GuruShabu
Apr 12, 2011

Rank: not rated yet
Fantastic! We need this for our politicians and mots of FM radio speakers!
unknownorgin
Apr 13, 2011

Rank: not rated yet
The clicking sound is caused by high amperage pulses going through the primary coil. The generated magnetic field induces electrical currents in the brain. This is also known as EMP or ElectroMagnetic Pulse and has been used to disable or destroy electronic equipment from a distance. At some level electrical currents are known to render neurons useless. Do not even think about experimenting with this at home. There have been several fatal accidents involving electromagnetic energy and someones brain being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Norezar
Apr 13, 2011

Rank: 5 / 5 (1)
Looks li a gre par-ar-ar-arty toyoyoyoy
satran
Apr 13, 2011

Rank: 1 / 5 (2)
This is dangerous. The damage to the brain in the long includes memory and IQ impairment. Potential risks outweigh the benefits. There is an ongoing FDA action against it, and it is irresponsible of New Scientist to present it as a cure all.
diva4d
Apr 13, 2011

Rank: 5 / 5 (1)
can you induce pleasurable feelings with this device?
;)
RDoll
Apr 13, 2011

Rank: 1 / 5 (1)
You want pleasure. Build an ion ray gun. Oh yeah!
Kingsix
Apr 13, 2011

Rank: 1 / 5 (3)
Safe until it accidentally stimulates the wrong area of an individuals brain, and oops goodbye speech forever, or sight or smell, or way finding, or whatever. Just a new knife-less lobotomy or what?
bluehigh
Apr 13, 2011

Rank: not rated yet
Roger Highfields brain ... hahahahahahahahaha
Norezar
Apr 13, 2011

Rank: not rated yet
can you induce pleasurable feelings with this device?
;)


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)
fsmith
Apr 14, 2011

Rank: not rated yet
"can you induce pleasurable feelings with this device?"

Larry Niven had this idea for a device he called a 'tasp'.

http://en.wikiped...ction%29
PPihkala
Apr 16, 2011

Rank: not rated yet
I'd be curious to see how well it worked if he was wearing a foil hat.

I is known fact that tin foil does not prevent magnetic fields, so tin foil is only protective against electrical fields.
rgwalther
Apr 17, 2011

Rank: not rated yet
;)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?:)


Of course I can guess! It is Marvin the Martian. Easy!
JRDarby
Apr 19, 2011

Rank: not rated yet
I'd be curious to see how well it worked if he was wearing a foil hat.

I is known fact that tin foil does not prevent magnetic fields, so tin foil is only protective against electrical fields.


Magnetic fields ARE electrical fields by Maxwell's law.
Thrasymachus
Apr 19, 2011

Rank: not rated yet
Can you stick a piece of foil to your fridge with a magnet? Of course you can. Foil doesn't impede magnetic fields.
mrcircumspect
Apr 20, 2011

Rank: not rated yet
Where were they going with this 'research'? Lots of fields and energies interfere with neuro-transmission. Are they hoping for a paradoxical discovery? What the point?
purpleenergy
Apr 27, 2011

Rank: not rated yet
A five dollar payment once in your life will help you & your family find relief in all kinds of Pains like migraine, back pain, spondalities, toothache, etc. Keep a credit card size PRAN YANTRA or Tesla Plates in your purse for a sudden pain related emergency. These Plates are designed for life -long use on Humans, animals & plants. These plates provide relief within 20 minutes in any kind of pain, stress and burns. Simply place the plate on the painful area. No body contact is necessary. You wouldnt have to rush to HOSPITAL for a sudden Migraine, Back Pain, Sprain BURN, Spondalities, Fibromyalgia, Headache,
Rank 4.5 /5 (10 votes)
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