PSYC 106 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Electroconvulsive Therapy, Psychosurgery

• School: Simon Fraser University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 106
• Professor: Sherri Atwood

Document Summary

Biomedical therapies refer to physically changing the brain"s functioning by altering its chemistry with medications, or affecting its circuitry with electrical or magnetic impulses or surgery. Many medications increase synaptic neurotransmitter levels; they stop the sending neuron from taking back its chemical messages. A lobotomy destroys the connections between the frontal lobes and the rest of the brain. This decreases depression, but also destroys initiative, judgment, and cognition. Microsurgery might work by disrupting problematic neural networks involved with aggression or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Electroconvulsive therapy [ect] induces a mild seizure that disrupts severe depression for some people. This might allow neural re-wiring, and might boost neurogenesis. Another option is repeated deep-brain stimulation using implanted electrodes. Like ect, these techniques may disrupt depressive electrochemical brain patterns. We can indirectly affect the biological components of mental health problems. Exercise can boost serotonin levels and reduce stress. Changing negative thoughts can improve mood and even rewire the brain.