People
0

2 Nations Join INSF in Brain Mapping Project

2 Nations Join INSF in Brain Mapping Project
2 Nations Join INSF in Brain Mapping Project

Iran, Germany and Canada are working on a joint brain mapping project to detect and identify talents in individual brains, said Ali Gorji, head of the Epilepsy Center at the German Munster University and director of Shefa Neuroscience Research Center in Tehran, on Sunday.

“The project is financed by the Iran National Science Foundation,” he said at a press conference, IRNA reported.

Founded in 2003 with the approval of the Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution, the INSF provides support to researchers and scientists.  It works closely with more than 26,000 faculty members of universities and research institutes. Major activities of the INSF include supporting research projects, post-doctoral programs, international patent application, various research awards and innovation center development.

Gorji said there are four brain waves, including very slow, sluggish, regular and fast. The current EEGs (tests used to detect abnormalities related to electrical activity of the brain) reduce 40-50% of brainwaves, mostly the fast ones. For brain mapping, fast waves need to be received because their absence will limit access to data needed to track interests and talents.

A machine has been domestically produced to receive all the brain waves for the purpose, and the in vivo animal testing phase has been completed.

He said the project would be a great stride in learning what people are good at, and guiding them towards related careers and activities as well as distinguishing differences in the way brain works in different people.

With respect to the growing rate of MS (Multiple Sclerosis) in the country, “it seems we have fallen behind the developed countries in terms of research, but stepping up research could put Iran among the top countries in terms of diagnosis and treatment of MS,” he said.

Gorji, who was also the scientific chairman of the 1st Razavi International Multiple Sclerosis Congress held in September, said that MS is a disabling disease that affects the brain and spinal cord resulting in loss of control, vision, balance and sensation.

“Without social support, treatment is difficult; therefore, early diagnosis and access to drugs and treatment are crucial.”

It is more than five decades now that MS has been investigated and dozens of factors have been introduced as the causes; however, no definite and absolute cure for MS has been recognized since the proposed causes were not decisive,” he noted.

The aim of the annual congress hosted by Razavi Hospital in Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi Province, is to share international experience in the field of MS and encourage young researchers.

 

Financialtribune.com