Hi,

 

I was wondering if there existed a device capable of stimulating nerves non-invasively. By this, I mean : Is there a device that can specifically cause a localizes depolarization of a nerve great enough for it to fire an action potential without affecting other nerves around? If so, may anyone in possession of such knowledge be willing to share it with me. Thank you!

 

Ethienne.

Stimulation can occur over an area spread out across a given region through specially oriented magnets, but those are not focused enough to stimulate a single cell non-invasively. Other members here may know of technology better than I do, but I am not familiar with anything that has that level of granular specificity (especially without using invasive approaches).

Not that I'm aware of, except using highly precise equipment for sensory neurons it would probably be nearly impossible. Most of the time neurons are packed together rather tightly, and, depending on the type of neuron, stimulation can cause a cascade of other neurons to fire.