One Russian neurophysiologist certainly thinks so—in fact, he’s dead set on proving it. New Scientist reports that Yuri Moskalenko, former president of the Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, believes that trepanation—drilling a hole in the skull, once a tool of witch doctors to cure migraines—could help anyone from their mid-40s or older to “slow or even reverse the process of age-related cognitive decline.” His reasoning is described as follows:
As we age, the proteins in the brain harden, preventing [the cranial] system from working as it should. As a result, the flow of both blood and cerebrospinal fluid is reduced, impairing the delivery of oxygen and nutrients as well as the removal of waste. Moskalenko’s research suggests that this normally begins between the ages of 40 and 50. Moreover, in a study of 42 elderly people with dementia, he found that the severity of their cognitive disorder was strongly correlated with cranial compliance: those with the severest dementia had the lowest compliance…
So where does trepanation come into all this? “A hole made in the bony cavity would act as a pressure-release valve,” says Kennett, and this would alter the flow of fluids around the brain. This is exactly what Moskalenko observed when he carried out one of the first neurophysiological studies on trepanation.
Surprisingly, while some are criticizing Moskalenko’s proposed treatment, the part irking them isnt the fact that it involves drilling a hole in your skull—rather, it’s how the hole works to help. Meanwhile, fans of the idea admit that it’s going to be tough to sell to patients. Though finding the right drill shouldn’t be much trouble at all.
Related:
Discoblog: Need to Perform Brain Surgery? Better Grab Your Black & Decker
Image: flickr/ josepy
June 17th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Drilling a hole in your head will most likely kill you!
June 17th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
And surely, there must be some other ways to heal from that disease, if not now then maybe in the near future!
June 17th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
I can’t wait to get one!
June 17th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
I would reckon there’s more to it than just drilling a hole and leaving it alone. I’m sure it would take anesthesia, antibiotics and then narcotics to treat the resulting pain. It’s doubtful he’ll leave the hole as drilled, but instead will insert a pop-off valve that remains closed until the pressure dictates it needs opening. Just steer clear of opened valves! Brain gases probably don’t smell great.
June 17th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
I need that like I need a hole in the head.
June 17th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
My God, man, drilling holes in his head is not the answer. The artery must be repaired without delay or he will die! So put away your butcher knives and let me save the patient!
Chemotherapy… fundoscopic examination… dealing with medievalism here!
June 17th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
Is Yuri Moskalenko going first to have a hole drilled in his head?
June 18th, 2009 at 3:44 am
Trepanation-fashion seems to come in waves, fortunately with a very low amplitude.
The basic idea that drilling holes in your head improves your cognitive functions seems to have been around since “Dr” Bart Huges, inspired by the flexibility of the cranium of babies drilled a hole in his own head, with a “Black & Decker” notably. He survived the drill for 40 years and then finally succumbed to a heart disease in 2004.
Here a scientific paper of his hand which illustrates his well thought out plans: http://www.iisg.nl/today/nl/06-01.php
These extremly retarded ideas are still influential enough for some people to severely feck up their heads with a dremmel, some alcohol, plastic sheets and a pinch of salt: http://www.bmezine.com/news/people/A10101/trepan/
One might want to read http://www.skepdic.com/trepanation.html before running to the garden shed to save yourself from Alzheimer’s. But if you do, please don’t forget to report back.
August 22nd, 2009 at 11:36 pm
I have read the full artical in the New scientist ,the skills of Moskalenkos research will no doubt be a positive one in the constant battle for a cure towards a fix for Alzheimers,critising this effort belongs in the realm of fake therapys,you know who you are.So ,I am a hundred percent behind all types of positive,forward thinking,un biased views.Those that borders on the contempt ,selfish ,racist,narcissistic should stick to reading glossy magazines about mmm well the latest fasion trends perhaps.
October 7th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
[...] Content: Discoblog: Will Drilling A Hole In Your Head Cure Alzheimer’s Discoblog: Need To Perform Brain Surgery Better Grab Your [...]
October 10th, 2009 at 8:36 am
I’m not endorsing trepannation; however, there are misconceptions about it. Skulls from 3000 years ago show that people not only survived trepannation, but also had experienced multiple trepannations over time. Pain is not an issue. Neither the brain nor skull have pain sensors, so only a local anathesia for the skin is needed. Also, people having brain surgery are awake. There are websites devoted to self-trepannation. People live through trepanning themselves. I think it’s crazy, but there aren’t significant risks especially when done by a physician. Trepanning is a medical procedure to treat many brain conditions.
October 11th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
[...] Steve – What do you think of this? http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/discoblog/2009/06/17/will-drilling-a-hole-in-your-head-cure-alzhei... Perhaps it gives the sponges an escape route? [...]
October 11th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Perhaps Moskalenko took his idea from Jeffrey Dahmer?