JP2021045301A - Brain activity stimulation system and brain activity stimulator - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a brain activity stimulation system and a brain activity stimulator, capable of suppressing performance degradation, when performing a series of exercises in the state in which tension (stress) to be punished in the case of a fail is added.SOLUTION: A brain activity stimulation system 100 includes a brain activity specification unit 10 for specifying a position of brain activity of a subject P performing a series of exercises in the stressed state by a functional nuclear magnetic resonance image method, and an external stimulation unit 20 for externally stimulating the position of brain activity of the subject P specified by the brain activity specification unit 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

This disclosure relates to a brain activity stimulator system and a brain activity stimulator, and more specifically to a brain activity stimulator system that externally stimulates brain activity and a brain activity stimulator.

In sports and music performances, series of movements that require continuous movement are performed. It is known that in this series of exercises, if there is tension (stress) that causes punishment (for example, losing in sports) if the person fails, he / she cannot perform the same series of exercises as usual and the performance deteriorates. It is known that even top-level athletes and performers cannot demonstrate their usual abilities due to tension (stress) in important situations of competitions and competitions.

Conventionally, regarding the deterioration of performance due to tension, in Non-Patent Document 1, simple exercise tasks such as reaching exercise and generation of gripping force are regarded as striatal activities that predict a large reward.

Vikram S. Chib, 3 outsiders, "Neural mechanisms underlying paradoxical performance for monetary incentives are driven by loss aversion.", Neuron, 2012, VOLUME 74, ISSUE 3, p.582-594

However, Non-Patent Document 1 merely studies brain activity related to simple movements such as reaching movements and generation of gripping force, and describes brain activity related to high-speed series movements, which are characteristic of sports and music performances. Is not the subject of research. Further, in Non-Patent Document 1, although research on capturing brain activity related to exercise has been conducted, operations such as positively stimulating the brain activity are not performed.

The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the purpose in a certain aspect is to perform a series exercise in a state where tension (stress) is applied, which is punished if the person fails. It is to provide a brain activity stimulating system that suppresses a decrease in stress, and a brain activity stimulating device.

According to a certain embodiment, it is a brain activity stimulation system that externally stimulates brain activity, and the position of the brain activity of a subject who performs a series of movements under stress is determined by functional magnetic resonance imaging. A brain activity specifying unit specified in the above and an external stimulating unit that externally stimulates the position of the subject's brain activity specified by the brain activity specifying unit.

Preferably, the brain activity specifying unit further includes a control unit including a storage unit that stores the position of the brain activity specified for each subject.

Preferably, the position of the subject's brain activity identified by the brain activity specific part is the specific position of the subject's medial frontal lobe.

Preferably, the particular position of the medial frontal lobe is a predetermined range that includes at least the position of [0,36,36] in the MNI frame of reference.

Preferably, the external stimulating unit externally applies magnetic stimulation to the position of the brain activity of the subject specified by the brain activity specifying unit by transcranial magnetic stimulation.

According to another embodiment, it is a brain activity stimulator that externally stimulates brain activity, and performs a series of exercises in a stressed state with an application part that externally stimulates the subject's brain. The position of the brain activity of the subject is provided with a fixing portion for fixing the application portion so that a stimulus can be applied.

A brain activity stimulator system and a brain activity stimulator according to an embodiment can suppress a decrease in performance when performing a series of exercises with tension (stress) applied, which is punishable for failure.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the brain activity stimulation system in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is the schematic which shows the appearance of the brain activity specific part in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is the schematic for demonstrating the exercise performed by the subject in the brain activity specific part in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a graph which showed the number of push mistakes of a partial learner (part-learners) and a simple learner (single-learners) in a test session. MRI images showing the brain activity of part-learners in a test session. 6 is a graph showing the correlation between the number of electrical stimuli and the brain activity of the medial frontal lobe identified in FIG. It is the schematic which shows the appearance of the external stimulation part in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is the schematic for demonstrating the exercise performed by the subject in the external stimulus part in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a graph which showed the number of push mistakes with and without magnetic stimulation in a test session. It is the schematic which shows the appearance of the brain activity stimulator in Embodiment 2. FIG.

<Embodiment 1>
The first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding parts in the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will not be repeated.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the brain activity stimulation system 100 according to the first embodiment. The brain activity stimulation system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The brain activity stimulation system 100 includes a brain activity identification unit 10 that identifies the position of brain activity by functional magnetic resonance imaging, an external stimulation unit 20 that externally stimulates the position of brain activity, and a brain activity identification unit 10. It includes a control unit 30 that associates the external stimulation unit 20 with the external stimulation unit 20.

The brain activity specifying unit 10 identifies the position of the brain activity of a subject who performs a series of movements in a state where tension (stress) is applied, which is punished if the person fails, by a functional magnetic resonance imaging method. Here, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to visualize the blood flow dynamic response related to human brain activity. It is a method to make it. In particular, functional magnetic resonance imaging detects the difference between brain activity due to sensory stimulation and cognitive task performance and brain activity due to resting or control task performance, and activates the brain corresponding to the component of the brain function of interest. It is possible to identify the area.

The external stimulating unit 20 externally stimulates the position of the brain activity of the subject specified by the brain activity specifying unit 10. The stimulus given to the brain activity by the external stimulus unit 20 may be any stimulus such as magnetic stimulus, current stimulus, ultrasonic stimulus, or a combination of a plurality of stimuli. In the following description, it is assumed that the external stimulation unit 20 applies magnetic stimulation to brain activity by using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a method of stimulating neurons in the brain by inducing a weak electric current in the tissues of the brain by a sudden change in the magnetic field generated by an electromagnet.

The control unit 30 is, for example, a computer, reads out the position of the brain activity of the subject specified by the brain activity specifying unit 10, and controls the external stimulating unit 20 so as to give a stimulus to the position. The control unit 30 is communicably connected to the brain activity specifying unit 10 and the external stimulating unit 20, and the connection may be either wired or wireless. Of course, the control unit 30 may be configured to associate the brain activity specifying unit 10 with the external stimulating unit 20, and simply reads out the position of the brain activity of the subject specified from the brain activity specifying unit 10 and displays it. , The position specified by the brain activity specifying unit 10 by the user according to the indication may be stimulated by the external stimulating unit 20. Further, the brain activity stimulation system 100 may be composed of only the brain activity specifying unit 10 and the external stimulation unit 20 without providing the control unit 30. That is, the brain activity stimulation system 100 directly or indirectly passes the position of the brain activity specified by the brain activity specifying unit 10 to the external stimulating unit 20, and stimulates the position with the external stimulating unit 20. It may be a system.

Although not shown, the control unit 30 includes a storage unit, and can store the position information of the brain activity of the subject specified by the brain activity specifying unit 10 in the storage unit for each individual. Further, when the control unit 30 inputs information for identifying an individual (for example, ID information), the control unit 30 can read out the information on the position of the brain activity of the corresponding individual from the storage unit and output it. Of course, a storage unit may be provided in the brain activity specifying unit 10, and the position information of the brain activity of the subject specified by the brain activity specifying unit 10 may be stored in the storage unit for each individual.

In the brain activity stimulation system 100, the medial frontal lobe (particularly, the anterior cingulate) that causes a decrease in the performance of the cingulate gyrus in a state where tension (stress) is added, which is punished if the cingulate gyrus fails in sports, music performance, etc. The activity of the dorsal part of the cingulate cortex (dACC: the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex) is specified for each individual by the brain activity specifying part 10. Until now, the mechanism of the brain has been unclear as to the cause of the decrease in the performance of serial exercise when performing serial exercise with tension (stress) that is punished if it fails. Therefore, it was not possible to perform operations such as actively stimulating brain activity in order to suppress the deterioration of the performance of the series exercise. As a method of positively stimulating brain activity to improve the performance of sequence movement, a method of stimulating brain activity by transcranial magnetic stimulation or the like is known as a countermeasure for depression and movement disorders.

In the brain activity stimulation system 100, based on the mechanism that the brain activity of the medial frontal lobe is involved as the cause of the decrease in the performance of the sequence movement, the position of the brain activity of the medial frontal lobe that causes the brain activity identification unit 10 is determined by the brain activity identification unit 10. It is specified for each individual, and an external stimulus unit 20 gives an external stimulus to the specified position. In the brain activity stimulation system 100, by giving an external stimulus by the external stimulus unit 20, the brain activity of the medial frontal lobe, which causes a decrease in performance, is abolished when performing a series of exercises in a state where tension (stress) is applied. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the performance of the series exercise. Efficient use of such a brain activity stimulation system 100 is expected to have a wide range of applications such as support for people who perform sports and music performances, and support for training in sports and music performances.

Further, in the brain activity stimulation system 100, the control unit 30 can present the brain activity of the medial frontal lobe specified by the brain activity specifying unit 10 to the subject. By presenting the brain activity of the medial frontal lobe to the subject, it also has a function of assisting to reduce the activity, and the brain activity stimulation system 100 can be used in combination with a stimulus such as transcranial magnetic stimulation to achieve a higher training effect. Obtainable. The brain activity stimulation system 100 supports people who perform sports and music performances, and also supports training in sports and music performances to prevent them from being unable to demonstrate their abilities due to tension in sports competitions and music competitions. Can be done.

Hereinafter, a process of specifying the position of the brain activity of a subject who performs a series of exercises in a state where tension (stress) is applied by the brain activity specifying unit 10 will be specifically described. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the appearance of the brain activity specifying unit 10 in the first embodiment. The brain activity identification unit 10 is a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI11) as shown in FIG. The fMRI 11 is provided with a display monitor 12 and an operation button 13 so that the movement of the subject P can be evaluated. In FIG. 2, the display monitor 12 is shown on the side of the inner surface of the fMRI 11 due to drawing, but the display monitor 12 is actually provided at a position where the subject P lying on his back can easily see. The operation buttons 13 are provided with three buttons 13a to 13c corresponding to the index finger, middle finger, and ring finger of the right hand of the subject P. Subject P operates the operation buttons 13 as soon as possible without making mistakes in pressing the operation buttons 13 according to the button operation instructions presented in order on the screen of the display monitor 12. That is, the brain activity specifying unit 10 measures the brain activity by causing the subject P to perform the exercise of operating the operation button 13 in response to the instruction of the button operation.

Specifically, the exercise to be performed by the subject P will be described. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the exercise performed by the subject P in the brain activity specifying unit 10 in the first embodiment. The brain activity specifying unit 10 causes the subject P to repeatedly perform the exercise of "length 10" presented in the instruction of the button operation 10 times. The "length 10" exercise is presented to the button operation instructions 10 times during the sequence time after the reset time (randomly determined from 5 to 9 seconds) as shown in FIG. 3, and this reset time and sequence. Repeat the set with time 20 times. Subject P selects and presses the button instructed from the three buttons 13a to 13c of the operation button 13 according to the button operation instruction presented during the exercise of "length 10".

In the first embodiment, the subject P is a simple learner (single-learners) who repeatedly performs an exercise of "length 10", an exercise of "length 10", an exercise of "length 6" and a "length". The performance of the series exercise is evaluated by dividing it into part-learners who repeat the exercise of "length 10" after practicing by dividing it into the exercise of "4". Here, the exercise of "length 6" is presented to the subject P for the instruction of the button operation 6 times during the sequence time, and the exercise of "length 4" is presented to the subject P during the sequence time. It is presented to the instruction of button operation four times. By dividing the "length 10" exercise into a "length 6" exercise and a "length 4" exercise, the subject P can be made to practice one exercise as a series exercise.

Therefore, the part-learners who practiced the exercise of "length 10" as a series exercise by dividing it into the exercise of "length 6" and the exercise of "length 4" are simple learners (single-). Compared to learners), there are fewer mistakes in pressing the operation button 13, and the performance of the series movement is high. However, when the test session that punishes the subject P when the operation button 13 is pressed slowly or by mistake is started, the part-learners are compared with the simple learners (single-learners). As a result, the number of mistakes in pressing the operation button 13 increases, and the performance of the series movement deteriorates. Here, in the first embodiment, as a punishment given to the subject P, the subject P is slow to press the operation button 13, and when the pressing button 13 is mistakenly pressed, an electrical stimulus is given from an electrode attached to the arm of the left hand. The electrical stimulus to be given is set to a stimulus level that the subject P can tolerate twice in a row and cannot tolerate if the subject P is three times in a row. Therefore, the subject P exercises under tension (stress), which is punished if the test session fails.

At the start of the test session, part-learners who showed high performance in practice had lower performance of sequence movements and received more electrical stimulation than single-learners. .. FIG. 4 is a graph showing the number of mistakes made by part-learners and single-learners in a test session. As can be seen from FIG. 4, in the exercise (test session) in the state where tension (stress) is applied, the performance of the continuous exercise of the part-learners is deteriorated. This indicates that part-learners are impairing the performance of sequence movements due to tension. A closer look reveals that the performance degradation of part-learners is at the junction of two series of movements ("length 6" and "length 4" of "length 10" movements. It has been confirmed that it is limited to exercise and joints).

FIG. 5 is an MRI image showing the brain activity of part-learners in a test session. FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional image of the standing subject P in the horizontal direction, which is an axial break. FIG. 5B is a vertical cross-sectional image of the standing subject P, which is a sagittal section. When the brain activity that correlates with the delay in the operation time of the operation button 13 of the subject P at the joint of the two sequence movements is searched by fMRI11 when the test session is performed 20 times, the inside shown by the white part in FIG. It was found that the brain activity of the frontal lobe correlates with the delay of the operation time of the operation button 13. In particular, brain activity in the medial frontal lobe is activity in the dorsal part of the anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) and is a predetermined range that includes at least the position of [0,36,36] in the MNI (Montreal Numerological Institute) frame of reference. It turned out to be an activity in.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing the correlation between the number of electrical stimuli and the brain activity of the medial frontal lobe identified in FIG. The horizontal axis of FIG. 6 shows the brain activity of the medial frontal lobe, and the vertical axis shows the number of electrical stimulations. The circle shown in FIG. 6 indicates one of the part-learners. As can be seen from the graph of FIG. 6, the higher the brain activity of the medial frontal lobe identified in FIG. 5, the higher the number of electrical stimulations shows a positive correlation. From this result, it is suggested that the brain activity of the medial frontal lobe is increased as the cause of the decrease in performance when the subject P performs a series of exercises with the tension (stress) that is punished if he / she fails. ing. Further, as described above, the brain activity identification unit 10 identifies the position of the brain activity of the subject P who performs the sequence exercise in a state where tension (stress) is applied, which causes a decrease in the performance of the sequence exercise. The location of brain activity in the medial frontal lobe can be individually identified. The above-mentioned exercise performed by the brain activity specifying unit 10 for identifying the position of the brain activity of the medial frontal lobe, which causes a decrease in the performance of the sequence exercise, is an example, and another exercise is performed to perform the sequence exercise. The location of brain activity in the medial frontal lobe that causes poor performance may be located.

Next, a process of externally stimulating the position of the brain activity of the subject P specified by the brain activity specifying unit 10 by the external stimulating unit 20 will be specifically described. The external stimulator 20 is a brain activity stimulator that externally stimulates the brain activity, and in particular, in the first embodiment, it is assumed that the external stimulator 20 is a transcranial magnetic stimulator that externally gives a magnetic stimulus to the brain activity. explain. Of course, the external stimulator 20 may be a brain activity stimulator that externally gives a current stimulus, an ultrasonic stimulus, or the like to the brain activity.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the appearance of the external stimulation unit 20 in the first embodiment. The external stimulation unit 20 includes an exciting coil 21 (applying unit) for applying a magnetic stimulus to the brain of the subject P from the outside, and a fixing unit 22 for fixing the exciting coil 21. As the exciting coil 21, a double-cone coil that can stimulate a deep part of the brain of the subject P may be used.

The exciting coil 21 is electrically connected to the coil drive power supply 21a via a cable. The coil drive power supply 21a has a function of connecting to an external power supply or the like and supplying electric power to the exciting coil 21. Subject P sits on a chair and has his head fixed by a guide member 22b extending from the fixing portion 22. The exciting coil 21 is arranged at a predetermined position on the scalp surface of the subject P fixed by the guide member 22b so that the magnetic stimulation can be applied to the position specified by the brain activity specifying part 10 (specifically, the position of the medial frontal lobe). To do. The external stimulation unit 20 applies a predetermined intensity of magnetic stimulation to the intracerebral nerve of the subject P from the exciting coil 21 arranged at the predetermined position to perform brain activity of the medial frontal lobe that causes a decrease in the performance of seriesal movements. Suppress.

The coil drive power supply 21a controls the supply of the current pulse to the exciting coil 21, and various existing types can be used. The coil drive power supply 21a can be turned on / off (ON / OFF), the intensity of the magnetic stimulus, the intensity of the current pulse that determines the cycle, the pulse waveform, and the like can be set by the operator.

In the first embodiment, the external stimulator 20 applies a 1 Hz repeated magnetic stimulus (for example, 300 pulses) to the medial frontal lobe to reduce the brain activity of the medial frontal lobe and suppress the deterioration of the performance of the series movement. it can. The external stimulator 20 is a repeat of 1 Hz (eg, 300 pulses) in a predetermined range that includes at least the position of [0,36,36] in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC), especially in the MNI frame of reference. Gives a magnetic stimulus. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, a display monitor 23 and an operation button 24 are provided so that the external stimulator 20 can evaluate the movement of the subject P who has given a magnetic stimulus to the medial frontal lobe. There is. The operation buttons 24 are provided with three buttons 24a to 24c corresponding to the index finger, middle finger, and ring finger of the right hand of the subject P. Subject P operates the operation buttons 24 as soon as possible without making mistakes in pressing the operation buttons 24 according to the button operation instructions presented in order on the screen of the display monitor 23.

Specifically, the exercise to be performed by the subject P will be described. FIG. 8 is a schematic view for explaining the exercise performed by the subject P in the external stimulation unit 20 in the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the subject P is subjected to a plurality of exercises in which the exercise of "length 10" is divided into the exercise of "length 6" and the exercise of "length 4" as a series of exercises, and then the exercise is performed. Repeat the "length 10" exercise. The "length 10" movement is the same as that shown in FIG. 3, and is presented to the button operation instruction 10 times during the sequence time after the reset time (randomly determined in 5 to 9 seconds). The set of the reset time and the sequence time is repeated 20 times. Subject P selects and presses the button instructed from the three buttons 24a to 24c of the operation button 24 according to the button operation instruction presented during the exercise of "length 10".

In the first embodiment, the subject P is subjected to a partial learner (TMS part-learners) who externally gives a magnetic stimulus to the brain activity before the test session, and the brain activity before the test session. The performance of series movement is evaluated separately for partial learners (SHAM part-learners) who do not give magnetic stimulation from the outside. Here, the partial learners who do not give the magnetic stimulus (SHAM part-learners) have the same conditions as the partial learners who give the magnetic stimulus (TMS part-learners) except that they do not give the magnetic stimulus. The head is fixed by the guide member 22b shown in the above section, and the exciting coil 21 is arranged at a predetermined position.

When the test session to punish subject P when the operation button 24 is pressed slowly or by mistake is started, the partial learners who give magnetic stimulation (TMS part-learners) perform partial learning without giving magnetic stimulation. Compared to the person (SHAM part-learners), the number of mistakes in pressing the operation button 24 is reduced, and the deterioration of the performance of the series movement can be suppressed.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing the number of push errors with and without magnetic stimulation in the test session. As can be seen from FIG. 9, the partial learners (TMS part-learners) who give magnetic stimulation give magnetic stimulation in the exercise (test session) in a state where tension (stress) is applied, which is punished if they fail. Performance degradation of series movements is suppressed compared to non-SHAM part-learners. This indicates that it is possible not to reduce the performance of the sequence movement of the subject P by externally applying a magnetic stimulus to the subject P for the brain activity before the test session. Upon closer examination, the magnetically stimulated partial-learners (TMS part-learners) are the joints of two series of motions ("length 10", "length 6" and "length 4". It is possible to reduce the brain activity of the medial frontal lobe caused by the movement and joint), and it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the performance of the series movement. That is, by applying magnetic stimulation to the position of the medial frontal lobe of the subject P, the external stimulation unit 20 can reduce the brain activity of the medial frontal lobe and suppress the deterioration of the performance of the series movement of the subject P.

In the brain activity stimulation system 100, the position of the brain activity of the medial frontal lobe specified for each individual by the brain activity identification unit 10 is stored in the memory unit of the control unit 30 or the memory unit of the brain activity identification unit 10, and external stimulation is performed. Stimulation (eg, magnetic stimulation) is given to the position of brain activity in the medial frontal lobe identified in Part 20. As a result, the brain activity stimulation system 100 can suppress a decrease in the performance of the sequence exercise even in a state where tension (stress), which is punished if it fails, is applied. Further, in the brain activity stimulation system 100, the state of the brain activity of the medial frontal lobe (output signal from fMRI11) specified by the brain activity identification unit 10 and the sequence exercise while presenting it to the subject P cause tension (stress). It will be possible to control the brain activity of the medial frontal lobe in the added state.

As described above, in the brain activity stimulation system 100 according to the first embodiment, the brain that specifies the position of the brain activity of the subject P who performs the serial movement in a stressed state by the functional magnetic resonance imaging method. It includes an activity specifying unit 10 and an external stimulating unit 20 that externally stimulates the position of the brain activity of the subject P specified by the brain activity specifying unit 10. As a result, in the brain activity stimulation system 100 according to the first embodiment, the brain activity of the identified subject P is reduced by applying an external stimulus, and the sequence exercise is performed in a state where tension (stress) is applied. However, the performance degradation can be suppressed.

The brain activity stimulation system 100 may further include a control unit 30 including a storage unit that stores the position of the brain activity specified for each subject P by the brain activity specifying unit 10. As a result, in the brain activity stimulation system 100, more subjects P can be externally stimulated at the position of the brain activity of the subject P specified by the brain activity specifying unit 10.

The position of the brain activity of the subject P specified by the brain activity specifying unit 10 is a specific position of the medial frontal lobe of the subject P. In particular, the specific position of the medial frontal lobe is a predetermined range including at least the position of [0,36,36] in the MNI standard coordinate system.

Further, it is preferable that the external stimulating unit 20 applies magnetic stimulation from the outside to the position of the brain activity of the subject P specified by the brain activity specifying unit 10 by the transcranial magnetic stimulation method. In particular, it is preferable that the external stimulating unit 20 uses a double-cone coil for the exciting coil 21 to apply magnetic stimulation to the position of the brain activity of the subject P specified by the brain activity specifying unit 10.

In addition, it is a brain activity stimulating method that gives an external stimulus to the brain activity, and the position of the brain activity of the subject P who performs a series of exercises in a state where stress is applied in the brain activity identification unit 10 is determined by functional magnetic resonance imaging. The step of specifying by the resonance imaging method and the step of externally stimulating the position of the brain activity of the specified subject P by the external stimulus unit 20 are included. As a result, in the brain activity stimulation method, the brain activity of the identified subject P is reduced by applying an external stimulus, and the decrease in performance is suppressed even when the series exercise is performed in a state where tension (stress) is applied. Can be done.
<Embodiment 2>
In the first embodiment, the position of the brain activity in which the continuous movement is performed in a stressed state is specified for each individual subject P by using the functional magnetic resonance imaging in the brain activity specifying unit 10. However, it takes time and cost to locate brain activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the brain that performs a series of exercises in a stressed state by utilizing the knowledge obtained in the first embodiment and using the functional magnetic resonance imaging method for each individual subject P. A brain activity stimulator that externally stimulates the already identified position of the medial frontal lobe without specifying the position of activity will be described.

Specifically, in the first embodiment, stimulation (for example, magnetic stimulation) is given to the medial frontal lobe of the subject P who performs a series of exercises in a state where tension (stress) is applied to reduce the activity of the medial frontal lobe. Therefore, it was found that the performance deterioration of the series exercise can be suppressed. Stimulation of the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC), especially in a predetermined range including at least the position of [0,36,36] in the MNI standard frame of reference, reduces medial frontal lobe activity and series movements. Performance degradation can be suppressed.

The brain activity stimulator according to the second embodiment is a device capable of stimulating the dorsal part of the anterior cingulate cortex (dACC), particularly the position of [0,36,36] in the MNI standard coordinate system. .. FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing the appearance of the brain activity stimulator 20A according to the second embodiment. The stimulus given to the brain activity by the brain activity stimulator 20A may be any stimulus such as a magnetic stimulus, an electric current stimulus, or an ultrasonic stimulus, or may be a combination of a plurality of stimuli. In the following description, it is assumed that the brain activity stimulator 20A stimulates brain activity by using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Further, the brain activity stimulator 20A is a device corresponding to the external stimulator 20 shown in FIG. 7, and the same configuration will be described with the same reference numerals.

The brain activity stimulator 20A includes an exciting coil 21 (applied portion) for applying a magnetic stimulus to the brain of the subject P from the outside, and a fixing portion 22 for fixing the exciting coil 21. As the exciting coil 21, a double-cone coil that can stimulate a deep part of the brain of the subject P may be used.

The exciting coil 21 is electrically connected to the coil drive power supply 21a via a cable. The coil drive power supply 21a has a function of connecting to an external power supply or the like and supplying electric power to the exciting coil 21. Subject P sits on a chair and his head is fixed by a guide member 22b extending from the fixing portion 22. Excitation coil at a predetermined position on the scalp surface of subject P fixed by the guide member 22b so that a magnetic stimulus can be applied to the position of [0,36,36] in the MNI standard coordinate system on the head of subject P. 21 is placed. Here, the position of [0,36,36] in the MNI standard coordinate system on the head of the subject P is, for example, the coordinate system on the head of the subject P and the MNI standard from the MRI image taken in the past by the subject P. It is specified by associating it with the coordinate system. That is, the actual position of the subject P on the head is specified from the MNI standard coordinates.

The brain activity stimulator 20A applies a magnetic stimulus of a predetermined intensity to the nerve in the brain of the subject P from the exciting coil 21 arranged at the predetermined position, so that the brain activity of the medial frontal lobe that causes a decrease in the performance of the sequence movement is caused. To suppress.

The brain activity stimulator 20A uses functional magnetic resonance imaging for each individual to pinpoint the position of brain activity that performs sequence movements under stress, with higher accuracy in the area responsible for the medial frontal lobe ( A magnetic stimulus can be applied to the [0,36,36] position in the MNI standard coordinate system). However, if high accuracy is not required, the responsible site of the medial frontal lobe (position of [0,36,36] in the MNI standard coordinate system) is identified from known information, and the brain activity stimulator 20A is used for functional nuclear magnetism. Magnetic stimulation may be applied to the responsible site of the medial frontal lobe without using resonance imaging. The fixing portion 22 may be a cap on which the exciting coil 21 is attached inside, instead of the pillar supporting the exciting coil 21 as shown in FIG. When the subject P correctly wears the cap, the exciting coil 21 can be automatically placed at a position where magnetic stimulation can be applied to the responsible portion of the medial frontal lobe.

As described above, in the brain activity stimulator 20A according to the second embodiment, the exciting coil 21 that stimulates the brain of the subject P from the outside and the brain activity of the subject P that performs a series of exercises in a stressed state. A fixing portion 22 for fixing the exciting coil 21 so that a stimulus can be applied is provided at the position of. As a result, in the brain activity stimulator 20A according to the second embodiment, the brain activity of the identified subject P is reduced by giving an external stimulus, and the sequence exercise is performed in a state where tension (stress) is applied. However, the performance degradation can be suppressed.

The position of the brain activity of the subject P is a specific position of the medial frontal lobe of the subject P. In particular, the specific position of the medial frontal lobe is a predetermined range including at least the position of [0,36,36] in the MNI standard coordinate system.

Further, it is preferable that the exciting coil 21 applies magnetic stimulation to the position of the brain activity of the subject P from the outside by the transcranial magnetic stimulation method. In particular, it is preferable that the exciting coil 21 uses a bicone coil to apply a magnetic stimulus to the position of the brain activity of the subject P.

It should be considered that the embodiments disclosed this time are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown by the scope of claims rather than the above description, and it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

10 Brain activity identification unit, 12, 23 display monitor, 13, 24 operation buttons, 20 external stimulator unit, 20A brain activity stimulator, 21 exciting coil, 21a coil drive power supply, 22 fixing unit, 22b guide member, 30 control unit, 100 Brain activity stimulation system.

Claims (6)

It is a brain activity stimulation system that stimulates brain activity from the outside.
A brain activity identification part that identifies the position of the brain activity of a subject who performs a series of movements under stress by functional magnetic resonance imaging, and
A brain activity stimulating system including an external stimulating unit that externally stimulates the position of the subject's brain activity specified by the brain activity specifying unit. The brain activity stimulation system according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit including a storage unit that stores the position of the brain activity specified for each subject in the brain activity specifying unit. The brain activity stimulation system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the position of the brain activity of the subject specified by the brain activity specifying unit is a specific position of the medial frontal lobe of the subject. The brain activity stimulation system according to claim 3, wherein the specific position of the medial frontal lobe is a predetermined range including at least the position of [0,36,36] in the MNI standard coordinate system. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the external stimulating unit externally applies magnetic stimulation to the position of the brain activity of the subject specified by the brain activity specifying unit by transcranial magnetic stimulation. Brain activity stimulation system. It is a brain activity stimulator that stimulates brain activity from the outside.
An application part that stimulates the subject's brain from the outside,
A brain activity stimulator comprising a fixed portion for fixing the application portion so that a stimulus can be applied to the position of the brain activity of the subject who performs a series of exercises in a stressed state.

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