Neuroscientific Debate Question Samples †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Neuroscientific Debate Question. Answer: Debate Question Magnet as tools to alter brain functions. Null Hypothesis: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) through repeated magnetic field stimulus accounts for activating the neuronal circuitry in specific regions of the brain. This occurs mostly in the superficial structures of the cerebral cortex in an effort to regulate the mood of an individual thereby ameliorating the depressive symptoms. The electromagnetic induction of the insulated coil that may be placed on top of the scalp is utilized in the process to stimulate the specific cortical regions of the brain through generation of pulses in rapid succession thereby allowing for long term changes in the brain functioning. Alternative Hypothesis: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation does not significantly alter the cognitive functioning in the brain. The reason may be due to confinement of the administered stimulus to only a small region of the cortex lacking the penetration capacity to the other subcortical regions that plays vital roles in affecting the cognitive aspect of the higher order functions. Therefore no prominent positive effect in mitigating depression may be observed. Annotated Bibliography The efficacy of TMS as an alternative treatment modality to pharmacotherapy in case of postpartum depression (PPD) affected women have been tested in the interventional study where 19 patients received treatment ranging from 4 weeks to 8 weeks of daily dosage of left prefrontal TMS. Assessment of EPDS total score as change in depression marker was conducted as measurement of primary outcome while the remission was closely observed as a valuable secondary outcome parameter. Findings suggest that both the objectives were satisfactorily fulfilled by application of TMS and therefore may be suggested as a suitable monotherapy to treat women suffering from major depressive disorder with post partum onset.1 In this exploratory research, 68 patients having major depressive disorder were subjected to sham or real TMS intervention at the estimated prefrontal cortex threshold to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Coupled to this, neuropsychological functioning was assessed as well both in pre and post TMS condition. Results of the study revealed that no negative neuropsychological effect occurred on TMS treatment although no evidence in support of improved neuropsychological function was noted either. Positive effects of TMS on neuropsychological functioning if any along with betterment of cognitive functioning as independent impacts of TMS need to be further assessed.2 Reflection The stimulation of the brain in order to get the desired results and its possible application as part of therapeutic intervention in case of certain neurocognitive disorders is quite common in modern times. TMS utilization in case of persons suffering with depression through activation of the regions that show decreased activity seem to harbor beneficial effects through alleviation of the depressive symptoms by means of delivering repetitive magnetic pulses in quick succession. This fascinating fact pertaining to TMS intrigued me to chose this topic and delve deeper to find out more regarding the positive and downsides of TMS. Reviewing the discussion of the first article I feel that the utility of TMS application is far greater than its potential limitations as it may be efficiently utilized in case of the post partum depression affected women who reported of better outcomes following this novel intervention. Moreover, I believe that since no adverse reactions were observed in the studied population the reliability and validity of the use of TMS in such instances are increased manifold. The content of the second article helped me to probe further regarding the potential uses of TMS and I got to understand that in the treatment of major depression, the TMS do not exhibit significant alterations in the neuropsychological functioning thereby suggesting that improvements with respect to the neuropsychological performance and cognitive functioning are independent effects of TMS. References Brock, D. G., Demitrack, M. A., Groom, P., Holbert, R., Rado, J. T., Gross, P. K., Weeks, H. R. Effectiveness of NeuroStar transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in patients with major depressive disorder with postpartum onset. Brain Stimulation: Basic, Translational, and Clinical Research in Neuromodulation, 9(5), e7. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.brs.2016.06.023 (2016). Wajdik, C., Claypoole, K. H., Fawaz, W., Holtzheimer III, P. E., Neumaier, J., Dunner, D. L., Avery, D. H. No Change in Neuropsychological Functioning After Receiving Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Treatment for Major Depression. J ECT, 30(4), 320. doi: 1097/YCT.0000000000000096 (2014). Brock, D. G., Demitrack, M. A., Groom, P., Holbert, R., Rado, J. T., Gross, P. K., Weeks, H. R. Effectiveness of NeuroStar transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in patients with major depressive disorder with postpartum onset. Brain Stimulation: Basic, Translational, and Clinical Research in Neuromodulation, 9(5), e7. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.brs.2016.06.023 (2016). Wajdik, C., Claypoole, K. H., Fawaz, W., Holtzheimer III, P. E., Neumaier, J., Dunner, D. L., Avery, D. H. No Change in Neuropsychological Functioning After Receiving Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Treatment for Major Depression. J ECT, 30(4), 320. doi: 10.1097/YCT.0000000000000096 (2014).