Brain-Teaser

A device that uses electricity to pass through your brain is believed to cure a range of diseases. But the jury is still out on its safety.

- Akshit Sangomla

AN ANCIENT technique that uses the properties of electricity to treat a range of diseases is getting a modern revival. Known as the Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (TDCS), this is a method for brain stimulation in which a feeble electric current (0.5 to 2 mA) passes through two electrodes placed on the head. Different positions of the electrodes on the scalp, also known as montages, can treat patients suffering from chronic pain, headaches and even Parkinson’s disease.

“When electrodes are connected between left dorsolateral pre frontal cortex (ldpfc) and contralateral supraorbital region of the brain, mood changes have been observed which are used along with counselling to treat clinical depression,” says Anuneet Sabharwal, a psychiatrist based in New Delhi , who uses this technique to treat his patients.

When electricity passes through these two parts of the brain, blood flow, glucose utilisation and oxygen uptake in ldpfc increases which, in turn, makes the brain cells in that region more active (neural firing), resulting in a calming influence (see ‘Shock therapy’ on p48).

Ancient practice