Revolutionary brain stimulation technique improves memory function in severe epilepsy patients
Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of Tel Aviv have developed an innovative brain stimulation method. They discovered that administering a more substantial amount of electricity to the brains of severe epilepsy patients (in a controlled way) yielded positive results by restoring normal mnemonic functionality. This concerns the ability to remember information.
How can electric shocks to the brain enhance memory?
The architect behind this method is Dr. Itzhak Fried. In the study documented in Nature Neuroscience, he advises implementing electrical stimulation in two brain areas. This allows the synchronization of activities between the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex. This concept is primarily based on years' worth of animal research relating to long-term memory formation through electrical stimulation.
The experiments yielded very uplifting results. Patients who underwent this stimulation typically showed a 10-20% improvement in memory tests, with some individuals noting an 80% enhancement.
Researchers are now fascinated to know if this method would also be beneficial for other neurological disorders that result in memory impairment. They speculate that electrical stimulation might also enhance other brain functions, including mood regulation and emotional control.
