[LINK] Learning enhancement using "transcranial direct current stimulation"

Alex_Altair

Article here;

http://www.ox.ac.uk/media/science_blog/brainboosting.html

Recent research in Oxford and elsewhere has shown that one type of brain stimulation in particular, called transcranial direct current stimulation or TDCS, can be used to improve language and maths abilities, memory, problem solving, attention, even movement.

Critically, this is not just helping to restore function in those with impaired abilities. TDCS can be used to enhance healthy people’s mental capacities. Indeed, most of the research so far has been carried out in healthy adults.

The article goes on to discuss the ethics of the technique.

Article here;

http://www.ox.ac.uk/media/science_blog/brainboosting.html

Recent research in Oxford and elsewhere has shown that one type of brain stimulation in particular, called transcranial direct current stimulation or TDCS, can be used to improve language and maths abilities, memory, problem solving, attention, even movement.

Critically, this is not just helping to restore function in those with impaired abilities. TDCS can be used to enhance healthy people’s mental capacities. Indeed, most of the research so far has been carried out in healthy adults.

The article goes on to discuss the ethics of the technique.

So how does this square with Algernon's Law? (That any simple change that enhances intelligence must be a net evolutionary disadvantage.)

For example, if the treatment makes it easier for a neuron to fire, it also increases the chances of a neuron firing when it's not "supposed" to (because of random noise or whatever).

Also a macroscopic electric field might not be "simple" for evolution.

0NancyLebovitz14y

I'm not convinced that Algernon's Law is true in general. It might apply to improving intelligence above the currently available range, but it shouldn't apply to raising intelligence within the existing range.

11saturn14y

Evolution hasn't really caught on to the fact that calories are really easy to obtain now, so there's probably some low-hanging fruit available by subverting the brain's energy-conserving mechanisms. (I don't know whether TDCS is doing that.)