iPlant

From the abstract: "DBS of the reward system has recently been applied to alleviate anhedonia in patients with refractory major depression. Although this approach appears promising, there remains a difficult problem: who can adjust their feelings and reward-oriented behavior within the normal range? With a self-stimulation procedure, the BSR may become uncontrollable. To develop DBS to the level of a standard therapy for mental disorders, we need to discuss “Who has the right to control the mental condition?” and “Who makes decisions” on “How much control is appropriate?” in daily life." - Christopher Harris

"Perhaps the most attractive application of optically induced dopamine release is the ability to spatially separate the release events according to the anatomical distribution of the dopamine cell bodies.. Since we can constrain optical stimulation to very small subregions of the VTA or SN, this approach will undoubtedly increase our understanding of the neural microcircuitry underlying dopamine transmission.. The promise of optogenetics is that the resolution of the effect also occurs on the genetic level where various components of the transgene cassette can be used to regulate the expression of the opsin, either temporally, spatially, or in various neuronal subtypes." - Christopher Harris

Q. And what type of deep brain stimulation could be used in the future for other conditions? A. Right now the company that makes the stimulator is working on one for obesity. It would affect the satiety area of the brain and make a person feel full. Other potential treatments include anger management problems. Q. This sounds very futuristic. A. It is part of a brave new world of treatment. The brain is still a black box. - Christopher Harris

Had no time to check it out yet...will soon. - Alexander Kruel