February 9, 2012

Electrical Deep-Brain Stimulation Enhances Memory in Small Study

By

An electrical current sent deep into the brain improves memory, according to a study that suggests a novel approach to treating Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Seven volunteers with epilepsy who had electrodes implanted in their brains to detect the source of their seizures participated in the research to see if deep-brain stimulation improved their recall. The results published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that information they learned while the stimulation occurred was easier to remember and use.…“Alzheimer’s disease is the big target here because it’s such a huge problem with people getting older,” said Matt Stead, a neurologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, who wasn’t involved in the study.

Bloomberg, by Michelle Fay Cortez, 02/08/2012

Tags: alzheimer's disease, deep brain stimulation, dementia, electrical current, epilepsy, Matt Stead, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Neurology, New England Journal of Medicine, Research

Please sign in or register to post a reply.
Contact Us · Privacy Policy