by Tim Brunson, PhD
Phrenological thinking was influential in 19th-century psychiatry. Originally it was based upon the idea that personality traits could be determined by examining bumps on the head. Phrenology was eventually discredited as a pseudoscience. However, the concept of relating specific brain function to specific behaviors did not totally go away. In the 1860s, Paul Broca discovered left temporal speech centers. And in 1874, Carl Wernicke revealed that an area near the Broca's Area affected receptive speech. This led to a renewed interest in the belief that specific brain substrates relate to particular functions of the mind. This was further promoted in the 1950s when Wilder Penfield was able to locate memory centers in discrete brain locations. This is the foundation of the theory of localization – which extremists view as a justification for cognitive rigidity. However, over the past few decades researchers have debated the relevance of localization as compared to a more dynamic view of the brain's plasticity – which posits that the environment can cause cognitive reorganization.
There is an emerging group of researchers who tend to straddle the localization-plasticity debate. Notably among them are Professor Vincent Walsh of the Institute of Neuroscience, University College London; Alvaro Pascual-Leone, MD, PhD, of the Harvard Medical School; and Professor Allan Snyder of the University of Sydney, Australia. Their focus has been on visual cognition, visual search, awareness, motion and color perception, perception of time, synesthesia of the senses, plasticity in visual and motor systems, and human brain stimulation. They start with the premise that the brain has a natural or normal brain organization. However, when the customary brain functioning is disrupted, it has the ability to reorganize – and is therefore plastic. One key methodology that they share is the use of Transcranial Magnetics (TCM). (Walsh & Pascual-Leone, 2003; Evans, 2007)
TCM is based upon a simple concept. As the brain is essentially a bioelectric mechanism, anything that interferes with the electronic functioning of the brain will affect the task or purpose of the area where the interference is applied. To do this they use an electromagnetic device, which is applied transcranially – meaning originating outside the skull. By using it on a certain part of the skull, researchers can disrupt a sector's ability to function. This allows them to discover what ability is negated. Therefore, they can surmise the role of the corresponding brain sector. However, their studies go far beyond merely mapping brain function. For instance, Snyder is convinced that when brain regions are shut off, it is possible to enhance other parts of the brain.
One such experiment was performed for a National Geographic program in 2007. First Snyder tested a group of students for word recognition, mathematical abilities, and their artistic skills. Taking into consideration Treffert's (1989) mandate concerning the "tyranny of the left brain", Snyder used TCM to disrupt the left prefrontal cortex – the same area directly affected by hypnosis and meditation. The results were significant. Each student showed marked improvement concerning the tested skills. Even though he did not create new savants, the results were positive enough to show that increased capabilities could be created without the subject experiencing negative events. This research gives credence to Treffert "accidental genius" hypothesis.
The major implication of TCM research is that the inhibition of a part of the brain can and will unleash enhanced abilities. Since the virtual lesion they create disrupts energy distribution, this inhibition increases cerebral blood flow to other areas and especially to adjacent substrates. Therefore – like surgery, pharmacology, and psychotherapy – TCM offers an additional intervention that may help restore substrate functionality, address pathologies, and unleash potentials.
TCM research and application is not without shortcomings. One is the fact that at this time it is still considered to be more of an experimental research device (i.e. investigational) rather than one with accepted clinical protocols. Also, the intense electrical activity applied through the scalp and cranium only disrupts functioning of a specific region of the cortex for a very brief time. Therefore, TCM only produces a very short-lived inhibition. The other major concern is that the virtual lesions created by TCM tend to evoke local plasticity. Lomber (1999) calls this the "specter of neural compensations." Apparently, the nature of the brain includes a tendency for sectors not directly affected by the TCM intervention to quickly take over the functions of the area being investigated. Without a doubt, this makes it very difficult to produce conclusive results. Nevertheless, despite these shortcomings, TCM investigators have been able to establish that selective inhibition can create a reorganization of brain function. Implications for the possibilities of the use of TCM for healing and transformation are significant enough to warrant further research into the technology as well as into other non-invasive techniques, including hypnosis.
The International Hypnosis Research Institute is a member supported project involving integrative health care specialists from around the world. We provide information and educational resources to clinicians. Dr. Brunson is the author of over 150 self-help and clinical CD's and MP3's.
References:
Evans, S. (producer). (2007, November 14). Accidental Genius. [TV Video]. New York: National Geographic Channel.
Lomber, S. (1999). The advantages and limitations of permanent or reversible deactivation techniques in the assessment of neural function. Journal of Neuroscience Methods. 86, 109 – 118.
Treffert, D. (1989). Extraordinary People: Understanding "Idiot Savants" . New York: Harper & Row.
Walsh, V. & Pascual-Leone, A. (2003). Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: A Neurochronemetrics of Mind. Boston: MIT Press.
Posted: 08/07/2009
