Neurotechnology boosts memory without surgery
Researchers at EPFL developed a non-invasive neurotechnology that enhances spatial memory using virtual reality and brain stimulation, potentially aiding cognitive decline in aging and dementia through improved brain plasticity.
Read original article
Researchers at EPFL have developed a non-invasive neurotechnology that enhances spatial memory in healthy individuals, potentially addressing cognitive decline associated with aging and dementia. The study, published in Science Advances, combines virtual reality, non-invasive brain stimulation, and fMRI imaging to improve spatial navigation. The experimental setup involves applying painless electric impulses to the hippocampus using transcranial temporal interference electric stimulation (tTIS), while participants navigate a virtual environment. Results showed that stimulation improved recall times for spatial information, suggesting increased brain plasticity. The integration of these technologies allows for real-time monitoring of brain activity, providing insights into how non-invasive stimulation affects cognitive functions. The researchers aim to develop targeted therapies for cognitive impairments, offering a non-invasive alternative to traditional treatments.
- EPFL researchers have created a non-invasive method to enhance spatial memory.
- The study combines virtual reality, brain stimulation, and fMRI imaging techniques.
- Electric impulses to the hippocampus improved participants' recall times in navigation tasks.
- The research aims to develop therapies for cognitive impairments without surgery or medication.
- The findings could benefit the elderly and individuals with dementia or brain trauma.
Related
A Personalized Brain Pacemaker for Parkinson's
Researchers developed a personalized brain pacemaker for Parkinson's, using AI for adaptive deep brain stimulation, significantly improving symptoms and quality of life, with potential applications for other neurological disorders.
Metabolic brain boost revives memory in Alzheimer's mice
Researchers found an experimental cancer drug can reverse memory loss in Alzheimer's mice by enhancing brain metabolism, suggesting new treatment avenues that focus on energy production rather than amyloid plaques.
Brain detects patterns in the everyday: without conscious thought
A study in Nature shows the brain detects patterns unconsciously, with neurons in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex responding to connected images, suggesting implications for memory-enhancement therapies.
Magnetically regulated gene therapy offers precise brain-circuit control
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine and others developed a non-invasive gene therapy using magnetic fields to control brain circuits, showing promise for treating Parkinson's disease and other neurological disorders.
At-home brain stimulation could be promising depression treatment
A clinical trial with 174 patients suggests at-home brain stimulation may effectively treat depression, showing significant symptom improvement. However, concerns about trial design and demographic diversity limit generalizability.
1 commentsRelated
A Personalized Brain Pacemaker for Parkinson's
Researchers developed a personalized brain pacemaker for Parkinson's, using AI for adaptive deep brain stimulation, significantly improving symptoms and quality of life, with potential applications for other neurological disorders.
Metabolic brain boost revives memory in Alzheimer's mice
Researchers found an experimental cancer drug can reverse memory loss in Alzheimer's mice by enhancing brain metabolism, suggesting new treatment avenues that focus on energy production rather than amyloid plaques.
Brain detects patterns in the everyday: without conscious thought
A study in Nature shows the brain detects patterns unconsciously, with neurons in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex responding to connected images, suggesting implications for memory-enhancement therapies.
Magnetically regulated gene therapy offers precise brain-circuit control
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine and others developed a non-invasive gene therapy using magnetic fields to control brain circuits, showing promise for treating Parkinson's disease and other neurological disorders.
At-home brain stimulation could be promising depression treatment
A clinical trial with 174 patients suggests at-home brain stimulation may effectively treat depression, showing significant symptom improvement. However, concerns about trial design and demographic diversity limit generalizability.