Synchronizing rhythms in the two regions of the frontal lobes of the human brain can be an effective means of enhancing abilities and treating neurological diseases.
Neurophysiologist Robert Reinhart from the University of Oregon (USA) has developed a method of influencing the brain to improve the ability to learn, self-control, attentiveness, tracking and correcting errors. However, with its help it is possible to achieve the opposite effect - to "dull" patients for a while, and then return them to their normal state. The experimental results are described in an article published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
In his experiments, Robert Reinhart used the method of micropolarization or transcranial direct current stimulation of the brain (High-Definition transcranial Direct Current Stimulation). Patients (there were 30 of them in total) were put on a rubber cap with a large number of small electrodes covering the entire scalp surface with a dense "net". With their help, it was possible both to stimulate various areas of the brain with a small constant electric current, and at the same time to take an electroencephalogram (EEG) - to record the spontaneous electrical activity of nerve cells.
3D model of a human head with electrodes for transcranial brain stimulation. Photo: Soterix Medical
Frequency is an important characteristic of the EEG. On its basis, the so-called brain rhythms are distinguished: alpha, beta, gamma, delta and theta. Each of them is associated with a specific condition and can be observed in certain situations in different parts of the brain. So, if you attach the electrodes to the back of the head of a person with open eyes, they will record the beta rhythm (frequency 14-40 Hz), which is characteristic for the active work of neurons, since visual information is processed in the occipital cortex. But if you close your eyes, the rhythm in the same place changes to alpha (8-13 Hz), indicating a state of rest.
Reinhart was interested in another rhythm - theta (4-8 Hz). Moreover, in two specific areas of the brain: the medial frontal cortex and the lateral prefrontal cortex. Both are located in our frontal lobes. The first, like an alarm, is activated when we make a mistake, when someone says that we were wrong, or something surprises us. The second keeps certain rules and our goals, helps in making decisions.
With the help of directed, targeted stimulation of these zones, the neurophysiologist managed to achieve precise synchronization of their theta rhythms. Both areas started working in tandem, interconnected. It turned out that in this case the subjects perform much better the task assigned to them. In the experiments, they were required to press a button every 1.7 seconds, relying solely on their inner, subjective sense of time. Periodically, the computer system gave the subjects feedback on the effectiveness of their actions: "too fast", "very slow", "exactly."
It turned out that the synchronization of theta rhythms of the two regions of the brain allowed patients to learn to press the button on time much faster. Whereas desynchronization, on the contrary, made them "dumber". However, the most interesting was another result: in one of the series of experiments, Reinhart, using electrical stimulation, disturbed the natural synchronous interaction of two parts of the cortex, which also worsened the test results. Then he immediately changed the stimulation parameters, “saving” the subjects and making the brain work interconnected again. This very quickly returned the participants to their natural abilities.
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According to the neurophysiologist, transcranial stimulation of specific, strictly defined areas of the brain with direct current can become a "magic tool", similar to the tablets from the movie "Areas of Darkness". With its help, it will be possible to significantly enhance their abilities to healthy people, as well as help patients with attention deficit disorder, anxiety, mental retardation or have lost some of their cognitive functions due to stroke or injury.
The method looks promising also against the background of the fact that so far no real effect of any popular nootropic drug (such as piracetam or phenotropil) has been proven, although pharmaceutical companies are actively promoting them on the market.
DANIIL KUZNETSOV