Textbook of Neuromodulation: Principles, Methods and Clinical Applications

by Helena Knotkova, Dirk Rasche

Overview

Until recently, it was thought that the adult brain is modifiable only during early stages of ontogenesis. However, neurophysiological and neuroimaging studies now indicate that the mature human brain is, under certain conditions, capable of substantial neuroplastic changes. Neuroplasticity reflects the ability of the human brain to alter the pattern of neural activation in response to previous experience, and recent findings indicate that the effects of experience can lead to both structural as well as functional reorganization. It has been shown that pathological neuroplastic changes can be reverted/normalized and that the modulation of the neuroplastic changes can be paralleled by improvement of the patient's status. However, there is a gap between the potential of neuromodulation, technical progress and actual preparedness of medical personnel to provide this type of treatment. A prevalent opinion among medical professionals indicates that training programs and educational materials in neuromodulatory techniques are well needed and appreciated. Neuromodulation will focus on the description and discussion of methods currently available for invasive and non-invasive neuromodulation, their clinical potential, significance and practical applications. In order to facilitate understanding of the topic, the initial part of the textbook will review neurophysiological systems involved in neuromodulation and will provide readers with basic principles of neuroplasticity that constitutes the rationale for neuromodulation in human medicine. Additionally, the clinical use of these techniques will be described with special regard to safety and avoidance of complications.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781493953189
Publisher:	Springer New York
Publication date:	08/23/2016
Edition description:	Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 2015
Pages:	283
Product dimensions:	8.27(w) x 10.98(h) x (d)

About the Author

Helena Knotkova, PhD is Co-Chief of the Research Division, Department of Pain Medicine and Palliative Care, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York and Co-founder as well as Director of Research at Institute of Non-invasive Brain Stimulation of New York, and Assistant Professor of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York. She is a co-founder of the Special Interest Group on Neuromodulation under the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP). Dirk Rasche, MD is a general Neurosurgeon and Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Lübeck, Germany. Dr. Rasche is as an active member of IASP, EFIC, INS and multiple other international and national associations.

Table of Contents

Principles of Neuromodulation.- Methods and Technologies for Low-Intensity Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Waveforms, Terminology, and Historical Notes.- Peripheral Nerve Stimulation.- Spinal Cord Stimulation.- Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation: A Target for Neuromodulation Therapies.- Deep Brain Stimulation.- Motor Cortex Stimulation.- Physiological Basis of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.- Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: Prools and Physiological Mechanisms of Action.- Customization of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Susceptible Populations Including at the Extremes of Age, Obesity, and Stroke.- Cranial Electrical Stimulation.- The Mechanisms and Actions of Motor Imagery Within the Clinical Setting.- Neuroprosthesis and Sensory-Motor Training.- Clinical Applications of Neuromodulation in Psychiatry.- Applications of Neuromodulation in Pain Management.- Applications of Neuromodulation in Neurology and Neurorehabilitation.- Neuromodulation for Addiction.- Enhancement of Sensory and Cognitive Functions in Healthy Subjects.- Conclusive Overview.

Editorial Reviews

Written and edited by recognized clinician-researchers in the field, this is a welcome addition to the neuropsychiatric literature. … This is an excellent and well-written book on neuromodulation. Anyone who wishes to learn about this important field would want to start out with this. I highly recommend it.” (Michael Joel Schrift, Doody's Book Reviews, May, 2015)

“This is a monumental comprehensive book on the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in neurological & Psychiatric illnesses. … Psychopharmacologists, neurologists, neurosurgeons, inc. residents, fellows and seasoned practitioners in Psychiatry will all find this text very useful in practice, especially when comparing drug with implant technology. A very good series concerning back pain, chronic headaches, inc. occipital neuralgia, trigeminal disorders, cluster, headaches (HC), and migraines and their treatments are used well here.” (Joseph J. Grenier, Amazon.com, March, 2015)

From the Publisher

Reviewer: Michael Schrift, DO (University of Washington School of Medicine)
Description: There has been a tremendous resurgence of research and clinical use of brain stimulation techniques that allow for targeting the functioning of specific neuronal networks involved in various neuropsychiatric disease states. This superb book on neuromodulation will give even the novice a broad introduction to this important and burgeoning field of neuropsychiatric intervention. Written and edited by recognized clinician-researchers in the field, this is a welcome addition to the neuropsychiatric literature.
Purpose: The purpose, according to the editor, is to "provide a broad background, explaining the science and offering a snapshot of clinical neuromodulation circa 2014... exploring the role of neuroplastic changes in the effects produced by stimulation." Indeed, the editors and chapter authors have produced a very informative introduction to this fascinating field.
Audience: Although the editors do not specify their intended audience, the book would appeal to any clinician or researcher interested in learning about this field.
Features: The first part presents the basic principles of neuromodulation as well as methods and technologies used for low-intensity transcranial electrical stimulation. Methods are reviewed in the second part with very interesting chapters covering such topics as peripheral nerve stimulation, deep brain stimulation, motor cortex stimulation, the physiological basis of transcranial stimulation, cranial electrical stimulation, and neuroprosthesis and sensorimotor training. The third and final part focuses on clinical applications with chapters covering such topics as neuromodulation in psychiatry, pain management, neurorehabilitation, addiction, and neurocognitive enhancement in normal, with an excellent summary chapter. Each chapter concludes with pertinent and timely citations of the scientific literature.
Assessment: This is an excellent and well-written book on neuromodulation. Anyone who wishes to learn about this important field would want to start out with this. I highly recommend it.

Doody's Review Service