Scientists, in a new study, revealed early today that they could already record human brain activity wirelessly throughout the day, an accomplishment that could allow for better studies in the inner workings of the brain.
According to a GIZMODO report, the researchers then used the data to adjust the treatment of people suffering from Parkinson's disease by means of deep brain stimulation.
It is an exciting innovation although some patients are apprehensive about what unceasing, at-home brain monitoring would mean for privacy.
Deep brain stimulation happens when electrical signals are once in a while, delivered to the brain via surgically embedded electrodes that are connected to a device similar to a pacemaker that's implanted right under the chest.
The said signals, regulated by the device, are supposed to counter the inconsistent activity of the brain that's linked to many neurological or psychiatric problems, theoretically helping treat some of their symptoms.
Deep Brain Stimulation
Essentially, so far, deep brain stimulation is known for helping people who are suffering from Parkinson's disease, as well as other seizure and movement disorders. However, it is being explored for "treatment-resistant depression."
Such a process can be considered a life-improving treatment for many people, although researchers have been attempting to improve its efficacy for some time already.
At present, for example, it can take a long time and multiple visits at the hospital for both doctors and patients to fine-tune the deep brain stimulation's appropriate level and timing to best lessen their symptoms, according to short-term readings of the activity of their brain.
However, the University of California, San Francisco scientists have been developing an adjustable way of treatment, one that sends out stimulation when it is considered essential based on the brain activity's real-time recordings.
Wireless Tracking of the Human Brain Activity
The scientists' new research entitled, "Long-term wireless streaming of neural recordings for circuit discovery and adaptive stimulation in individuals with Parkinson's disease," published in Nature Biotechnology, reveals that it is now plausible to flawlessly keep track of human brain activity for extended periods of time while at home, so long as there is a working wireless connection to the internet nearby.
The research team developed their previous research to create a novel approach to deep brain stimulation. Involved in this study were five volunteers with Parkinson's who went through stimulation with a device specifically designed to communicate via radio frequencies with another device worn externally.
This particular device then regularly delivered the volunteers' brain activity to a tablet via Bluetooth, and the data was then, uploaded to the cloud where the scientists could monitor it.
Essentially, this cloud server was designed to be compliant with the federal law, Health Insurance Portability, and Accountability Act, which mandates the personal patient information's protection stored online.
Lastly, the data was used to adjust the deep brain stimulation of humans if necessary. This, according to UCSF researcher and study author Phillipp Starr, is the first device that allows for unceasing and direct wireless recording of the whole brain signal over many hours.
Meaning, the researchers were able to carry out an entire brain recording over an extended period of time while people are continuing with their everyday lives.
A related report is shown on John Hopkins' University's YouTube video below:
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