The possibility of a patient lowering their blood pressure at the flick of a switch has been raised by researchers at Oxford University and Imperial College London who report that they can make patients’ blood pressure increase or decrease by stimulating with electrodes very specific regions of the brain.

A patient having surgery to implant electrodes. After surgery the electrodes can be switched on and off by the patient using a handheld box.

Deep brain stimulation – placing very thin electrodes onto exact locations in the brain – is already used to relieve pain or to help Parkinsons’ sufferers to move better. This potentially offers a cure to sufferers of high blood pressure that does not depend on taking drugs long-term.

Via The Engineer.