 Tests in mice have shown that stimulating the brain with a magnetic coil appears to promote the growth of new neurons in areas associated with learning and memory.
If there is a similar effect in humans, it could lead to new ways of treating age-related memory decline and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) refers to the use of a magnetic coil to induce electric fields in the brain tissue, which activates or deactivates groups of neurons.
It's thought that this process, called long-term potentiation (LTP), may help to strengthen brain circuits, thereby aiding learning and memory. It has previously been used experimentally to treat a range of brain disorders, including depression and schizophrenia, and to rehabilitate people after a stroke.
In the latest experiment, mice were given TMS for five days, after which their brains were analyzed for evidence of cell proliferation. Proliferation was enhanced in all areas of the brain tested, and there were large increases in the proliferation of stem cells in the dentate gyrus hippocampus. These cells are believed to play a crucial role in memory and mood regulation. NewScientist.com May 24, 2007
Magnet therapy is very exciting, and I have been intrigued with it for some time. While it rarely treats the cause of the problem, it certainly is far less dangerous than using drugs and, used wisely, is typically without side effects.
This is one type of therapy I would encourage you to consider and be sensitive to what future studies show that further document its efficacy and indications.
But beware because FDA regulations render it illegal to market any magnet therapy product that claims to treat any "significant" condition such as cancer, HIV, AIDS, asthma, arthritis, or rheumatism. So you will have to add the pieces together yourself because anyone who seeks to sell them to you will be clamped down by the FDA, as we all know that the primary purpose of the FDA is to "protect you."
Nevertheless, I've previously written about magnets to help with depression and even recently to avoid shark attacks, but now researchers have uncovered another potential: warding off Alzheimer's disease and age-related mental decline.
As the population continues to age, the number of people with Alzheimer's disease is expected to increase some 70 percent.
We are in the midst of an Alzheimer's epidemic. About 4.5 million people are affected today, and it is estimated that this number will increase to 7.7 million by 2030. Experts are calling this great increase in Alzheimer's cases a "looming public health disaster" that could potentially turn into an unmanageable health care crisis. So any potential cure deserves attention.
However, while this type of magnet therapy sounds promising, the best option when it comes to Alzheimer's and mental decline is to avoid it entirely. Mental decline is NOT a normal part of aging, and you can help protect your brain and mind by:
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