Most people think of depression as a problem of mood. In long-standing depression, parts of the brain involved in memory, resilience, and long-term cognitive health can actually begin to shrink. One of the most important of these structures is the hippocampus. This is not a new or controversial idea. For decades, brain imaging studies have…
A practical, science-based look at mild cognitive impairment, memory decline, and treatments that address the brain’s underlying regulatory systems. You might have become concerned when you started to notice little changes in your memory. Forgetting small things. Being unable to remember whether you did something. Then comes the uncomfortable surprise when your family tell you…
Mood disorders and the problem of regulation When we talk about mood disorders, we typically describe them using emotional terms. Perhaps unsurprisingly, phrases such as anxiety, irritability, loss of interest, low mood, or emotional numbness tend to dominate conversation. For many people, however, these labels feel incomplete and only reflect part of the story. What…
This post is about VNS after stroke and how VNS helps with recovery. VNS is short for vagus nerve stimulation, a form of bioelectric neuromodulation, a nuanced treatment for brain disorders. It’s been around for decades, but recent discoveries mean it no longer requires invasive surgery. We’ve been using the noninvasive form of VNS at…
Neuroplasticity is critical to brain function. It’s so critical, that without it, you would die! That’s a remarkable statement, and, amazingly, it’s true. Neuroplasticity is all about how your brain forms new connections, how your brain rewires itself. And for any brain, that’s a core function. As pumping is to hearts, so forming new connections…
How do you boost neuroplasticity after a traumatic brain injury? What can you do to ensure that you make the best recovery possible? Neuroplasticity and the Long Haul Recovery from a traumatic brain injury can be a long and difficult journey. It that may take a number of years, even longer than the two year…
Bioelectric Neuromodulation: Vagus Nerve Stimulation Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a form of bioelectric neuromodulation, a way of stimulating the brain to regulate neurophysiology. We’re getting rewarding results using vagus nerve stimulation across a range of conditions, including major depressive disorder. The idea has been around for some decades. In 2005 the FDA approved the…
