Records of electrical stimulation of the brain date back to the early civilizations. Pliny The Elder and Galen of Pergamum described the use of living torpedo fish to cure headaches via their electrical discharges.
Epilepsy could be cured by using electric catfish, according to Ibn-Sidah, an 11th century physician, and in the 18th century direct current was applied in the treatment of melancholia.
In the last 50 years the efficacy of brain stimulation has improved greatly, at the same time the physical discomfort often associated with some methods has diminished.
Our new series on the fascinating history of electrical stimulation of the brain kicks off with a unique video: Professors John Rothwell and Anthony Barker reminiscing about the invention of TMS.
In the short videos we’ll be publishing in the following months we’ll be looking at the history, application and efficacy of different methods of brain stimulation in more detail.
View it here: The Origins of Brain Stimulation