New research suggests that electromagnetic stimulation may reverse the damage done by Alzheimer’s disease.
New Scientist reports on the research, which was undertaken by Andres Lozano in Toronto, Canada. His research involved implanting electrodes deep into the brain, and then sent pulses of electricity 130 times per second into the hippocampus. A year’s study later showed significant increases in the use of glucose; this is significant because reduced glucose usage is a notable sign of the brain shinking as parts of it are no longer used, especially those parts concerned with memory retention. The process didn’t change the shrinkage in four out of six participants, but the other two recorded growth in their hippocampuses over time — which means it’s time to continue the research. [New Scientist]