Electrical stimulation to the brain makes learning easier

September 21, 2011 by Deborah Braconnier in Neuroscience report

brain

(Medical Xpress) -- A new study presented at the British Science Festival by Professor Heidi Johansen-Berg from the University of Oxford shows that the application of small electrical currents to specific parts of the brain can increase activity and make learning easier.

The research began looking at the changes in the brain as an individual enters adulthood and what changes occur after a stroke. Researchers monitored through a functional MRI while were re-learning motor skills. They wanted to look into whether invasive electric brain stimulation could improve recovery, however, in looking into this possibility, they discovered that the same stimulation in healthy adults increased the speed of learning.

Researchers used an experiment where individuals were told to memorize a sequence of buttons to press in an action similar to playing a piano. The individuals were fitted with a trans-cranial current stimulation device where small electrical currents were sent between two electrodes placed on specific areas of the brain. The electrodes were placed just above the left ear and above the right eye.

After only 10 minutes of this stimulation, known as transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS), the participants showed a significant increase in the speed of their performance compared to those participants under placebo conditions.

Their research shows that to areas of the brain responsible for motor skills could allow for these skills being learned more quickly. They hope that the same effect will occur when the stimulation is applied in other areas of the brain to increase educational learning.

In terms of stroke patients, Johansen-Berg believes this electrical stimulation could be used to complement current physiotherapy and increase the chances of patients relearning motor skills. Her team also sees the potential for this treatment in the training of athletes.

While could arise on the use of this treatment for athletes and for increased educational performance, the benefits for stroke patients could mean the ability to walk or speak again.

© 2011 PhysOrg.com

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wealthychef
Sep 21, 2011

Rank: 5 / 5 (1)
Gimme gimme I want it NOW! :-)
Temple
Sep 21, 2011

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Perhaps it won't be long before teachers will say "It's time to put on your thinking caps."
Magus
Sep 21, 2011

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I don't understand the ethical questions, unless there are detrimental side effects.
antonima
Sep 22, 2011

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I don't understand the ethical questions, unless there are detrimental side effects.

I am more worried people will try to reverse engineer a trans-cranial electrical stimulator than anything else!
antialias_physorg
Sep 22, 2011

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I don't understand the ethical questions, unless there are detrimental side effects.

The side effect is that the brain (like many other body tissues) adapts. Once you start using this method you will be pretty much unable to learn without it.
whitefang
Sep 22, 2011

Rank: not rated yet
' Gimme gimme I want it NOW! :-) '

Sorry, couldn't resist this ... do a google on ' Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (TDCS) Targeted Using Brain Imaging Accelerates Learning ' and select the .pdf. And voila, a serviceable device already exists. And what is the targeted application for said device? Sniper training. Isn't it amazing that the human race has survived for as long as it has?
Magus
Sep 22, 2011

Rank: not rated yet
I don't understand the ethical questions, unless there are detrimental side effects.

The side effect is that the brain (like many other body tissues) adapts. Once you start using this method you will be pretty much unable to learn without it.
Wouldn't it just "adapt" to learn without it?
Rank 4.6 /5 (8 votes)
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