Italian researchers are experimenting with one named “dream machine” which, if revealed effective, could be the solution for the 12 million Italians who have insomnia. The announcement of the test launch took place during the Congress of the European Society of Clinical Neurophysiology, at the Catholic University of Rome.
This is a portable device that emits electrical stimulation (low doses and painless) able to act on the frontal and parietal areas of the brain or those for the emotional control and the level of care.
The device tested by Italian researchers, consists of moving plates, able to move about the patient’s head, connected to a battery-powered stimulator.
The current sent to the brain plaques of low intensity “with various doses to test what we know in theory: we know the circuits involved in the process of numbness and know that these electric currents are capable of inhibit or excite neurons,” explained Paolo Maria Rossini, the experiment coordinator and professor of neurology at the Catholic University.
“Our experiment will evaluate both possibilities, inhibition and excitation and try to position the electrodes also on mastoid bone behind the ear.
In this position, you will create a flow of current through the brain stem, where are located the brain centers that regulate sleep, “he added.
About 20 young people between 22 and 28 years, agreed to undergo the study, which is weekly, consisting of a stimulation of 15-20 minutes. Then spend the night at the Sleep Laboratory of Psychophysiology of the University Sapienza, controlled by an electroencephalogram.
This stage of the test is conducted on healthy subjects and only then may proceed with the analysis of sleepless individuals.
