A study suggests that low-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation of a specific part of the brain could promote memory formation. Experts refer to this as episodic memory, but it can be affected by dementia or brain injuries. The new discovery could accordingly offer an opportunity for people with memory problemsto help through brain stimulation.
Improve memory through transcranial magnetic stimulation
The ability to form new memories slowly decreases with age. However, brain trauma and conditions such as Alzheimer's disease can cause severe, debilitating memory loss. Some prescription medications can help improve memory in people with Alzheimer's, but their effects are limited and short-lived. Manufacturers market over-the-counter dietary supplements known as nootropics to improve memory. However, there is little scientific evidence of their effectiveness. Now a research group may have discovered a completely new way to stimulate episodic memory using magnetic pulses. To do this, the team researched a phenomenon known as voluntary forgetting. The researchers noticed that slow magnetic pulses seemed to improve memory. They used an established technology called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to deliver the pulses to the left side of the subjects' foreheads. This happened via a region of the brain called the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.
Those whose left brain regions were magnetically stimulated were significantly better at remembering words in a subsequent test. At the same time, scientists used electroencephalography (EEG) to monitor electrical activity in the participants' brains. In EEG readings, the slow magnetic pulses appeared to reduce the power of brain waves in the beta frequency range across part of the brain. The experiment appeared to have tipped the balance between nerve stimulation and excitation toward more inhibition. This could accordingly be beneficial for memory encoding. However, it is still too early to talk about clinical application because this basic research has not yet been completed, researchers say. However, the study results are of great importance for Alzheimer's patients, who gradually lose the ability to form episodic memories. The authorsthis studyhope to be able to further investigate the effect and explore possible applications for the treatment of dementia.
