Written by Elif Gülce Batgi
Treatment technologies are open to development in reference to current and past improvements on the technology of treatments. Therewith future improvements will also affect treatment models. Future treatments can be discussed in future, but today there is a nonconventional treatment when it is compared with others: Neuromodulation. What is neuromodulation? Why is it different from others? How does it work? When and for which patient is it required to administer?
Neuromodulation can be basically described as a treatment which needs pharmaceutical or electrical signals that acts directly upon nerves. It is different from others because signaling is something that is open to development for the last decades whereas chemical substances improve day by day since ancient civilizations by using the plants previously. Also another example of their differences is neuromodulation can be used in specific brain areas while traditional medication couldn’t be (3). Applicability of the treatment is really comprehensive. It can affect any disease or symptoms, even more every part of your body. It mainly helps damaged neurons or ones that can't work for a while. However, it can stimulate some responses which haven't been previously such as cochlear implant restoring hearing in a deaf patient (1). Neurotransmitters and neuromodulators should be differentiated from each other. Differences can be explained as they are both messengers released from neurons, but the reason for release of neurotransmitters is carrying a message across a specific junction, called a synapse whereas the reason for release of neuromodulators is affecting the transmission of the signals between neurons (2).
(Image Credit:https://neuronewsinternational.com/focus-on-neuromodulation/.)
Neuromodulation is substances that alter the ways that neurons use to convey the information that they take from the brain to other neurons and helps the improvement of normal functions of the nervous system. Currently, there are some popular treatments that neuromodulation is used in. The most common one is spinal cord stimulation (SCS). A thin wire is placed just outside of the spinal cord and attached to a small generator which is also placed under the skin. The generator carries frequent low voltage electric impulses to the spine to act upon the pain signals as they make their way to the brain (3). Spinal drug delivery system, brain stimulation, including deep brain stimulations (DBS) and peripheral nerve stimulation can be also given as treatment examples that neuromodulation is used in (3). Also, it is important to highlight that treatments administered by neurosurgeons perform surgeries on the nervous system.
Risk is another thing in common with other treatments for neuromodulation. Bleeding, infection, blood clots and a reaction to the medication are some risks that may occur due to the implementation of neuromodulation devices in the body, if pharmaceutical treatment is administered. On the other hand, risks are likely to be shaped according to candidates’ responses which is unpredictable because of the nervous system’s discrepancy from person to person (3). As a precaution to risks a trial procedure can be given to candidates to understand permanent device’s suitability.
References:
Sofatzis, T. (n.d.). About neuromodulation. International Neuromodulation Society. https://www.neuromodulation.com/about-neuromodulation.
Krant, J. (2021, November 29). What are neuromodulators? Art of Dermatology | New York. https://artofdermatology.com/what-are-neuromodulators/.
Neuromodulation: What is it, symptoms and treatment. (n.d.). Top Doctors. https://www.topdoctors.co.uk/medical-dictionary/neuromodulation#2.
Comments