Electric current to the brain boosts math ability

[seouldavid]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-11692799

 

I read this article on BBC news site. It's interesting in that small amount of electric current to the brain can improve math ability. Later, somebody might develop a product that makes all of us math genius or poker genius by stimulating our brain with electric current.

[Athena]

Here are more links. http://organizedwisdom.com/electrical-brain-stimulation-may-raise-math-skill/3196610/nxi/med

 

I would try this electrical immediately if I knew how to access it. There is a limit to how much the electrical stimulus can help. It has something to do with the direction of the electrical impulse, so I would bet the treatment would not help everyone. Those who are good at math, would already have the electrical pathways for being good at math. I think the treatment would only help those who are not good a math, because they do not have the necessary electrical pathway.

 

What I imagine happening is possibly curing some mental disorders with electrial treatments making necessary electrical pathways.

 

 

[Genecks]

I want a double-blind study and other research facilities to repeat it before I believe it.

 

Furthermore, I need to see how they operationally define their variables.

 

This kind of research seems almost the same as saying a magnetic bracelet helps blood flow.

Edited November 5, 2010 by Genecks

[imatfaal]

Genecks - there you go http://download.cell.com/current-biology/pdf/PIIS0960982210012340.pdf?intermediate=true Its not quite so magnetic bracelet as you imply. It might need duplication (but then what original science doesn't) and moreover a second level of blinding. From quick whizz through I couldnt work out whether sham group were identified to those conducting tests and doing statistical analysis; would be a huge missed opportunity if that level wasn't blinded as well. Seems a fairly nicely put together paper and piece of research

[dbz]

thats all about practise