Can magnets be used to treat epilepsy?

For over 25 years, magnets have been used to stimulate the brain to investigate how nerve cells are connected in the brain. In many instances people with diseases affecting the brain such as stroke, epilepsy, dystonia and depression have been studied, to work out which pathways are affected. Michelle McDonnell will explore how we might treat these conditions using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and if TMS treatments really work.

Dr McDonnell is a Neurological Physiotherapist and Research Fellow at the University of South Australia. She is investigating whether exercise can change the brain in healthy adults and individuals following stroke using the technique transcranial magnetic stimulation. Her research stems from her interests as a clinician: she was interested in the potential for reorganisation within the damaged brain following stroke. Her current research is looking at the benefits of aerobic exercise following stroke, to see whether it can improve cognition, physical functioning, quality of life and promote neuroplasticity.

RiAus Involvement

TEDxAdelaide 2011 (12 November 2011) presented by RiAus