Int Rev Neurobiol
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Development of neural prostheses over the past few decades has produced a number of clinically relevant brain-machine interfaces (BMIs), such as the cochlear prostheses and deep brain stimulators. Current research pursues the restoration of communication or motor function to individuals with neurological disorders. ⋯ However, a number of significant issues regarding BMI performance, device capabilities, and surgery must be resolved before clinical use of BMI technology can become widespread. This chapter reviews challenges to clinical translation and discusses potential solutions that have been reported in recent literature, with focuses on hardware reliability, state-of-the-art decoding algorithms, and surgical considerations during implantation.
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The use of neuromodulatory techniques in the treatment of neurological disorders is expanding and now includes devices targeting the motor cortex, basal ganglia, spinal cord, peripheral nervous system, and autonomic nervous system. In this chapter, we review and discuss the current and past literature as well as review indications for each of these devices in the ongoing management of many common neurological diseases including chronic pain, Parkinson's disease, tremor, dystonia, and epilepsy. We also discuss and update mechanisms of deep brain stimulation and electrical neuro-network modulation.
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As currently understood, neuromodulation comprises not only electrical and magnetic stimulation but also chemical and genetic manipulations. The fact that adverse events induced by some of these treatments are largely reversible has sparked great interest in the development of new applications and targets for neuromodulatory treatments. As the number of indications and studies increases, so does research in associated fields. This chapter provides a brief introduction and discusses the overall contents of this volume of the International Review of Neurobiology.
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Only approximately 10% of patients encountering a cardiac arrest (CA) and subsequent cardiopulmonary resuscitation survive to a meaningful life. One of the most important causes for this low survival rate is the ischemia-reperfusion injury that hits the brain. ⋯ In order to shed some light on therapeutic opportunities, our findings relating to the use of induced mild hypothermia and methylene blue as neuroprotective agents are reviewed. Furthermore, we would like to share some interesting data on gender differences and effects of estrogen on the ensuing cerebral injury occurring after hypovolemic CA.
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Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is a noninvasive method which allows recordings of human brain activity with excellent temporal and good spatial resolution. In this chapter, we review applications of MEG in neuromodulation. ⋯ In particular, we discuss how MEG may be employed to study deep brain stimulation. In this context, we describe the problems arising from stimulation artifacts and present approaches to solve them.