Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
the genes regulating the protein synthesis for memory formation or molecules
that enhance the ecacy of the glutamate receptors. Blocking the glutamate
receptors in an attempt to selectively erase memory and alleviate posttraumatic
stress disorder symptoms is another direction for neuroscience research. One
aspect of this sort of approach that must be considered in the future is the
ethical ramifications. This is always going to be the case when it comes to drugs
used for the treatment of social disorders such as aggression or oppositional
defiance.
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7.6 Brain Imaging
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an extraordinary tool
employed for the detection of sites of brain hemorrhage, stroke, tumors and
injury. Even if there are not always ecient treatments available to heal brain
diseases or indeed injuries, a fast and precise diagnostic tool is essential to aid in
the rendering of immediate medical decisions and to help determine prognostic
factors. Recent years have seen MRI technology being applied to the diagnosis
of functional deficits in reasoning, memorization, personality disorders and
psychopathology. The method involved is the monitoring of brain areas that
'light up' differentially in affected patients. Extended application to the more
controversial areas such as the employment of imaging detection in sorting
normal people from dangerous criminals and terrorists, while well justified,
might open a Pandora box of social abuse. Yet another controversial appli-
cation is the use of MRI as an alternative to the classical but unreliable lie
detector test, which is based on skin impedance variations.
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7.7 Stem and Cancer Cells
It is hoped that introduction of the techniques discussed in this text, and other
approaches such Raman and MRI imaging, will also prove very fruitful in stem
cell and cancer cell research. The current use of stem cells and cell therapy to
replace lost brain cells is an experimental approach not sustained in the long
term because the implanted cells are plagued by the same degeneration process
that provoked the loss of function in the first place. The future will focus on
adapting treatments to suit the unique biochemical composition and medical
history of each individual patient. Personalized treatments can become very
important in situations where particular patients do not respond to the
conventional treatment. Stem cell technology has tremendous potential for
applications in personalized treatments if it utilizes the patient's native cells for
tissue repair. This circumvents immunosuppressant interference and the cohort
of serious side effects and related problems. There also exists the possibility to
help patients suffering from strokes, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease,
epilepsy, stress, leukemia or depression. In this respect, nanoneuroscience will
deal with the retrieval of stem cells, their differentiation into neural cells, the
integration of regenerated cells in absorbing matrices inside the brain tissue,
the regeneration of neurotransmitter secreting cells, and the regeneration of
