O.R. Pagan hosts a Q&A about "The First Brain" discussion

Dr. Pagan, I'm happy to have the privilege to be the first to pose a question.

My question relates to the effect electromagnetic radiation has on planarian brains.

TES or tACS brain scanning techniques use electrical current to stimulate, or affect certain areas of mammalian brains, having the effect, alternately, of both shutting down specific groups of neurons and of causing them to alter their patterns.

Is there a similar effect in planarian brains? And if so, could research into those effects in planarians not drastically improve our understanding of the relationship between em radiation and neural activity?

Dear Martin,

First, it is One' (:-)...

Thanks so much for posting your comment. I am not aware of any affects of electromagnetic fields specifically on planarian brains, but there are some studies that describe regeneration differences, changes on proteins that are made in response to injuries or high temperatures. I would imagine that it is much more difficult to "aim" at specific regions of the planarian brain in the same way that we can do in humans simply because the worm's brain is too small. However, I did find a series of papers on planarians and magnetism by Dr. Michael Persinger, the same person that built the controversial "God Helmet". I am really interested on reading these papers, particularly one that states that magnetic fields affect the response of planarians to opiates. I sent him an email so I can obtain the papers. I think that this is an interesting area and i want to know more! Again, thanks for your comment!

Persinger's work is inspired, though often underestimated. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on those papers.