Neuromodulation (medicine)
Neuromodulation (medicine)
Neuromodulation (pronounced: noor-oh-maw-dyoo-ley-shuhn) is a therapeutic alteration of activity either through stimulation or medication, both delivered directly to a target area of the brain, in the field of medicine. The term is derived from the Greek words 'neuro' meaning nerve and 'modulation' meaning change.
Definition
Neuromodulation is the process by which nervous activity is regulated by way of controlling the physiological levels of several classes of neurotransmitters. This can be achieved through various methods such as electrical stimulation or through the use of pharmaceuticals.
Types of Neuromodulation
There are several types of neuromodulation, including but not limited to:
- Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS): This involves implanting a device that sends electrical signals to specific parts of the brain.
- Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS): This involves the use of an implantable device that sends low levels of electricity directly into the spinal cord to block pain.
- Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS): This involves sending mild pulses of energy to the brain via the vagus nerve.
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS): This is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain.
Applications
Neuromodulation is used in the treatment of various medical conditions such as Parkinson's Disease, Chronic Pain, Depression, Epilepsy, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Related Terms
- Neurotransmitter: A chemical substance that is released at the end of a nerve fiber by the arrival of a nerve impulse and, by diffusing across the synapse or junction, causes the transfer of the impulse to another nerve fiber, a muscle fiber, or some other structure.
- Synapse: A junction between two nerve cells, consisting of a minute gap across which impulses pass by diffusion of a neurotransmitter.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Neuromodulation (medicine)
- Wikipedia's article - Neuromodulation (medicine)
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