הרצאת אורח בסמינר המחלקה להנדסה ביו רפואית

Magnetic Stimulation of Neural Networks and the Brain

Prof. Elisha Moses

Physics of Complex Systems, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel

External stimulation of the brain is emerging as a novel methodology for treatment of mental illness and possibly also for cognitive enhancement. Electric and magnetic and even ultrasound stimulation of neurons have all shown to be effective in eliciting brain activation, but the actual effect on neurons remains very unclear. Combining experiments on excitation in neuronal cultures, animals and humans with theory and numerical simulations, we have been able to unravel the contribution of electric and of magnetic pulses delivered to the brain. We show that today’s magnetic stimulation techniques do not optimally target neurons in the brain, and that they can be considerably enhanced with simple technical modifications involving rotating magnetic fields and prolonged pulse durations. We end by suggesting practical clinical trials for the near future.

ההרצאה תתקיים ביום ראשון 11.12.16, בשעה 15:00

בחדר 315, הבניין הרב תחומי, אוניברסיטת תל אביב