Neuromodulation: The Development of a New Frontier

Neural signals are electrical. Using electrodes, we can modulate those signals by directing electrical impulses to inhibitory neurons and dampening activity in any given circuit, or by directing them to excitatory neurons to increase activity. This approach is the basis of a type of therapy called neuromodulation. Although the science may be relatively new, the concept is not – electric eels were used to treat pain back in ancient Greece! Neuromodulation’s most common application today is still for pain management. In this case, it requires activating non-painful touch nerves to block pain signals, thanks to the gate control theory of pain. New applications are also in development today to treat disorders from Parkinson’s disease to epilepsy or depression, and even to aid rehabilitation after stroke. This is a video from the 2024 Brain Awareness Video Contest. Created by Masouda Khan