While some functions in the brain like movement, sensation and vison are highly localized, others are widely distributed. If the astrocytes are working harder, it may just reflect an increase in neuronal activity in the surrounding neurons. How this impacts brain function is not well understood but the function of astrocytes is to soak up the neurotransmitters released by neurons when they communicate with each other. Meanwhile, astrocytes, the cells that support the neurons in the brain and clean up waste, show dramatic increases in calcium with tDCS indicating that their activity is also enhanced. An increase in oxygenation in the brain may help nourish neurons and enhance their ability to perform optimally. Studies using functional MRI, which measure blood volume and oxygenation in the brain have shown that tDCS can increase blood flow and oxygenation in the brain underlying the electrodes. In addition to impacting neurons, tDCS can stimulate blood vessels and other cells in the brain called astrocytes. This amount of current cannot make the cells fire, but it can depolarize the membranes of the cells making them easier to fire and enhancing their excitability. A 2mA stimulus intensity applied to the skin generates <0.5 V/m fields in brain which generates 0.1-0.2 mV changes in membrane potential of the brains’ neurons. Although only 25% of the current delivered through the tDCS electrodes reaches the brain, since much of the current is absorbed by the skin and bone, studies have clearly shown alterations in the physiology of the underlying brain cells. He is the co- author of two books on endoscopic skull base surgery and endoscopic pituitary surgery. Schwartz has been named one of New York's Super Doctors, Best Doctors in New York Magazine, America's Top Surgeons, America's Best Doctors and America's Best Doctors for Cancer. Schwartz has published many scholarly articles for the Journal of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery, Epilepsy, Clinical Neurosurgery the Journal of Neuro-Oncology, Nature Medicine, Neuroimaging and the Journal of Neuroscience.ĭr. His expertise has been sought through interviews, quoted and published, in the Wall Street Journal, The New York Post, The New York Daily News, and Crain's New York Business he is asked to lecture throughout the country and world. Schwartz has provided commentary for numerous television shows on ABC, NBC, CBS, and Larry King, in addition to national radio shows. Schwartz was recently named David and Ursel Barnes Professor in Minimally Invasive Surgery, the first endowed professorship in the department.ĭr. Schwartz specializes in the surgical treatment of brain tumors, pituitary tumors and epilepsy using the latest techniques in computer-guided surgical navigation, minimally invasive endoscopy and microsurgery. Schwartz spent a year at Yale-New Haven Medical Center receiving advanced fellowship training. After completing his residency and chief residency in Neurosurgery at The Neurological Institute of New York at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, Dr. Schwartz, MD, received his undergraduate and medical degrees from Harvard University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude.
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