The researchers at Boston University demonstrated that electrostimulation could actually improve working memory. Rob Reinhart, assistant professor and John Nguyen a doctoral researcher at the university conducted research. Nature Neuroscience published this study. The National Institutes of Health have supported the theory.
The researchers found the electrostimulation improves memory in the 70s, which is indistinguishable from the memory of a 20-year-old.
What is Working Memory?
The conscious part of the memory, which makes decisions and helps recall things and incidences. Working memory starts to decline in the late 20s and in early 30s due to disconnection and incoordination of the brain. By the age of 60 or 70, the neural circuits get deteriorated enough to notice cognitive difficulties. However, this stage does not have a connection to Alzheimer’s diseases.
Through the experiment, researchers discovered that the use of electrical current could stimulate these brain areas. The electrostimulation process can phenomenally increase the working memory and its performance.
During the tests, the older group of adults received a mild stimulation of 25 minutes. The researchers stimulated the memory using personalized scalp electrodes, which varies according to individual brain circuits.
They tested the results based on coupling and synchronization.
Benefits of Electrostimulation:
This method has the potential to redefine pathways of treatment of Alzheimer’s diseases coupled with maintaining recalling ability even after aging. Additionally, it is not beneficial only for adults or elders but younger people too.
The researchers are looking to test multiple aspects on animal models for further exploration. This could be beneficial for the million people living with cognitive impairments and mainly with Alzheimer’s disease.
