The Stimulated Brain. Cognitive Enhancement Using Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation

Description

Expanding understanding of the brain in order to devise ways to enhance brain function is one of the key goals in neuroscience. In the last decade there has been a burst of research exploring how non-invasive brain stimulation can help meet this goal. Deep brain stimulation offers effective symptomatic relief in Parkinson’s disease and treatment-resistant depression, but is too invasive a technique to have widespread application. In contrast, non-invasive brain stimulation has the potential to be a much more applicable, widespread technique.

This volume will focus on transcranial electrical stimulation, one of the most frequently used noninvasive stimulation methods. TES is a relatively inexpensive, portable and painless method with great potential for cognitive enhancement. TES does not evidence major side effects and thus has possible utility in enhancing cognitive abilities in children with learning disabilities neurological patients, or elderly with or without cognitive decline. In spite of this potential there are very few books which cover TES (and none with it as a primary focus).

The Stimulated Brain will provide the first integration of findings on TES from different research fields. Chapters will provide coverage of past and present knowledge and will also mark future directions in behavioral enhancement and expand our understanding of basic research findings, with clear translational benefits for the field of applied research. Chapters will also discuss specific neuroethical issues and pathways for collaboration between scientists and industry. The content will cluster well with our cognitive neuroscience, neurology, neuropsychology and developmental psychology titles.

Table of contents

The Basis
1. The History of Electrical Brain Stimulation
2. Primer to Stimulation Methods
3. Safety: Cognitive and Physical Side Effects
4. Modeling Work
5. Electrical Brain Stimulation in Animals and Non-Human Primates
6. The Physiological Basis of Brain Stimulation

Improving Functions in the Typical Brain
7. Sensory System
8. Motor System
9. Effects of Brain Stimulation on Declarative and Procedural Memories
10. Attentional System
11. High-Level Cognitive Functions in Healthy Subjects

Improving Functions in the Atypical Brain
12. Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation in Neurological Disorders
13. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Cognitive and Language Dysfunction in the Elderly
14. Psychiatric Illnesses
15. The Addictive Brain

Future Perspectives
16. Improving Education
17. A Brief Guide to the Scientific Entrepreneur
18. Neuroethical Aspects
19. The Future Usage of Brain Stimulation and Challenges