Neuron Stimulation

Neuromodulation through neuron stimulation is extremely different to that of electrical neurostimulation. The two techniques work on different basic prinicples. Electrical stimulation can be used to cure or suppress pain as well as many diseases and degenrative conditions, whereas the use of neuron neurostimulation is used to block pain only. This gives it some disadvantages, but also some advantages. Also, this technology has only been around recently, so there is not as much history to comment on.

How It Works

The way this technique of neuromodulation works is by firning neurons at a place at the bottom of the spinal cord. Where the electrical stimulators fire electrical pulses, this technology fires neurons, which are nerve cells and what the nervous system is made up of. The streams of neurons the devices fire have only one purpose: blocking the pain signals that go to the brain.

A picture of one of the many types of neurons

When the neuron streams hit their target, they affect the spinal cord, which is the main sender and reciever of signals to the body and brain. The spinal cord also send pain signals to the brain, which then triggers a reaction. The streams of neurons supress these signals so that they don't reach the brain at their full strength, relieving patients of their pain to a large extent. This technology is useful for people who have a condition which is mainly inhibiting due to pain, however for people with conditions like Parkinson's, in which the person's hands tremble and they lose some fine motor function, it will not be effective as it will not suppress the tremors.

A picture of the neromodulator firing neurons at the base of the spine

Availability and Commerciality

This technology has become fairly commercial. There are many websites out there which give explanations about their products in this category. There are many companies which have this, and many places where you can have these implants implanted. There are many different types of implants available from these companies, as the types of neurons and the pace and amount sent vary the effects. This means that there is so much variety through the different companies and devices that anyone should have access to these implants if they are needed to improve the quality of life and condition of health.

However, not everyone who needs this technology can have it: people who live in poverty or the third world cannot for obvious reasons, but even for most people these devices are expensive. The technology is cutting edge, and it is very recent and modern, so it has not dropped in price as much as is necessary for wider distribution. These items are also expensive because bulk buying is not practical, as only one implant is needed in the case of this technology, whereas with electrical stimulation, sometimes more than one implant is needed, as with Parkinson's disease, where two neurostimulators are needed to have the desired effect.

The Effects

The pain that comes from some diseases and conditions is so bad to some people that they almost cannot stand it any longer. This is the pain that this type of neurotechnology can suppress.  The patients who have this treatments belive that even a 50% reduction in pain levels is money well spent. These people often do not care about the risks that could accompany this treatment as their quality of life is so inhibited by the pain. This just goes to show that this new and continually improving technology is having a big effect on people with ailments that give them severe pain.

The Future 

So many people can benifit from this technology and it is only new and recent. With the accomplishments these devices have given the medical world and the general population, what will the future hold? This technology is futuristic already, and will likely continue on as a source of pain relief in the future. There is so much advancement and health restoration that has and will come from this technology, and it still has so much more to give. It is not as widely embraced as other branches of medicine and technology, but still has much to offer to everyone.