Chronometric Electrical Stimulation of Right Inferior Frontal Cortex Increases Motor Braking

If this study is replicated, it could be a major breakthrough in neuroscience, permitting clarification of the commonly misunderstood distinction among feelings, impulses and behaviors--a major problem in psychiatric treatment of "irresistible impulses," commonly seen in most mental health disorders, (intrusive, unwanted thoughts and feelings), but often inappropriately diagnosed. Examples include obsessive worry, self-criticism, and anger resulting in aggressive behavior designed to hide more vulnerable feelings from ourselves and others. Most people use the words anger and aggression interchangeably, despite the reality that anger is a feeling and aggression is a behavior. We often hear patients describe their aggressive behavior as a "necessary" outcome of their feelings of anger, denying that the behavior was "chosen." This is often better understood when one realizes that the feelings of anger are usually "used" to hide from ourselves, more vulnerable feelings, such as helplessness, shame, abandonment, or other feelings of being hurt.

Once the neuro-circuitry is elaborated, transcranial magnetic stimulation, pharmaceutical or neutraceutical (e.g., N-Acetylcysteine, NAC) modification together with effective psychotherapeutic reframing of thoughts and feelings content, could replace the electricity-induced model.

Because of neurons' plasticity, many of these modalities, including effective psychotherapy alone, have been postulated to produce neurogenesis and the replacement of unwanted connections with more desirable tracts, often resulting in apoptotic removal of the undesirable tracts.

If confirmed, this study should be considered a ground-breaking accomplishment.

Ange Lobue, MD, MPH, BSPharm American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology American Academy of Television Arts and Sciences McKinleyville, California trinidadca@gmail.com

Conflict of Interest:

None declared