Patient "Roused From Coma" By a Magnetic Therapy

missb writes "Could the gentle currents from a fluctuating magnetic field be used to reverse the effects of traumatic brain injury? New Scientist reports on a patient in the US who was in a coma-like state, but can now speak very simple words after being given transcranial magnetic stimulation. This is the first time TMS has been used as a therapy to try and rouse a patient out of a coma."

Comments

Re:Correlation != Causation

[Hatta]

Transcranial magnetic stimulation absolutely has a working scientific model behind it. Remember, your neurons are sensitive to electric potentials. Since electricity and magnetism are essentially the same thing, fluctuating magnetic fields can change those potentials causing the neurons to fire. This isn't late night QVC magnetic therapy bracelets we're talking about here, it's cutting edge neuroscience.

Dense Headedness

[DynaSoar]

"gentle currents from a fluctuating magnetic field"

TMS is not gentle. Even the latest, most focused but least powerful, ones cause such a mechanical strain on the mechanism when they fire, that they sound like a firecracker.

There is still a maximum amount allowed because too much causes headaches, then convulsions. TMS is a gentle ball peen hammer.