Day 7: Brains!

I've recently taken a liking to a movie/novel called Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion (I'm currently reading the book after watching the movie twice (Yes, yes. Shame on me for seeing the movie before reading the book)). In the story, brains are the best part to eat for zombies, because by eating the fresh brain, the zombie collects the memories and emotions of the brain's previous owner, making them feel, for a little while, more human.

But how does this relate to my project? Well, the fact that it has to do with brains! With my project, the brain is stimulated through transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Hypothetically, I can stimulate a part of your brain that controls your hand using this procedure, moving your fingers as a result. We use this methodology to find the amount of voltage needed to move the finger muscles. Before I could be a part of this project, I had to spend a month reading chapters about human ethics so that I can be allowed to analyze data. I'm not experienced enough (or probably old enough) to use the TMS on humans but I was taught how to use it, which is impressive in itself.

So I had decided to dedicate this week to reading articles and publications referring to Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation--how the procedures goes, what is involved, MagStim, the difference between single and paired pulse, if there's a difference between rTMS and TMS. I realize that I really should know more. How do I not know more about how TMS works?

I first begin at Google, where everyone student begins. "What is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation?" I type in the Search bar. What results is the typical Wikipedia  page which actually turned out to be pretty helpful , but unfortunately, Wikipedia  is not known to be a reliable source. So I continue on, but my findings are fruitless. Nothing except for Wikipedia  tell me how the procedure of TMS goes. All refer to the TMS as a treatment or therapy to mental disorders, especially major depression. I release a big sigh and renew my Search bar. "How to use transcranial magnetic stimulation," "The procedure of transcranial magnetic stimulation," "rTMS vs. TMS," "Single vs. paired pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation" (feel free to leave any suggestions in the Comments). Fortunately, I find a few good points on Johns Hopkins University's (my dream school) Medicine website, hopkinsmedicine.org. It wasn't quite futile, yet it wasn't substantial either. I try looking up the references Wikipedia  used for some informational points I found, and I come upon a book which I was excited to read until I saw the price tag on Amazon. $350.00 for a USED  book. Words cannot describe my anger and disappointment. So many questions that remain unanswered. I remember why I don't know much about TMS now.

PROOF! (click to enlarge)

The search continues...