A pharmaceutical company is now currently working on a new drug that may be able to be used as a cognitive enhancer. In theory it could improve a person\'s working memory. Working memory is the process by which the brain can temporarily store and also manipulate certain information, such as remembering a phone number. This specific drug is able to enhance the functioning a dopamine type 1...
The power of computers is advancing at a rapid pace. Eventually, will we have the power to begin computer simulations of whole human populations? What would this mean economically if we were able to run these types of simulations? Could simulations of economic and political policies first be run on a computer before being enacted in the real world? Would this result in an optimization of...
Researchers have recently constructed a new computer model of the cortex of the human brain. This model is similar in principle to the more well known Blue Brain computer model, but it simulates a much larger area of the brain. It actually less detailed at the neuron level when compared to Blue Brain. The Blue Brain project has already simulated a section of the rat\'s brain that is named...
Nanotechnology is the science of the very small. Many researchers are trying to create nanobots. Nanobots are basically extremely small robots at the size of the atomic scale. In the future they may be used for a variety of different purposes. Scientists are now collaborating to create new nanomachines that are smaller than the width of a human hair. These nanomachines may be able to stimulate...
Neurotechnology describes the field of technology used to manipulate and measure brain processes. In the future, will athletes increasingly begin to neurotechnology methods to get an edge over their competition? Athletes may be able to use non-invasive brain stimulation to alter their brain functioning for a beneficial effect. Already scientists have used a brain stimulation method called...
Neuronetics had tried last year (Jan 2007) to get FDA approval for its transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) device, but failed spectacularly. Transcanial magnetic stimulation is a way of non-invasively stimulating the brain with electromagnetism. So what the heck happened with the trial? Neuronetics showed the results of a clinical trial of TMS for major depression to a board of FDA...
Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a non-invasive way of stimulating many different areas of the brain. Being addicted to drugs has a considerable toll on the individual. Now researchers are begining to use transcranial magnetic stimulation as a treatment for people who are addicted to various drugs. Depression and addiction often overlap on both the symptomatic and chemical level. States...
Is society moving towards a future where people will be able to replace their biological neurons with computer chips or artificial neurons? Some researchers think that having implantable neural prostheses may be just around the corner. This currently science fiction scenario may actually not be that far off. There has been a continuing development of neural prostheses that are implantable in...
Cardiovascular disease is currently a large killer of many people in the developed world. The brain is often the source of many of these blood flow problems. Being able to accurately detect and measure cerebral blood flow behavior plays an important role in understanding diseases of the brain. Currently brain measurements are done by x-rays, computer tomography or magnetic resonance imaging....
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is actually a major cause of disability and death in the world. It is a leading killer of people who are beneath the age of 45. The major causes of TBI include violence, falls, sports injuries and motor vehicle accidents. People can often prevent accidents when the proper safety precautions are taken. Traumatic brain injury can be devastating for those who have...
