Can Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Improve Memory?

683 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Research proposal on stress and memory loss

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), are non-invasive, painless brain stimulation that uses electrical currents to stimulate specific parts of the brain. With tDCS a constant, low intensity current, powered by a nine volt battery, is passed through two electrodes placed over the head which modulates neuronal activity. Transcranial direct current has two types of stimulation: anodal and cathodal. Anodal stimulation excite neuronal activity while cathodal stimulation inhibits or reduces neuronal activity. TMS is similar to tDCS, but uses an insolated electromagnetic coil that passes a pulse of current through the cranium to stimulate neural activity (John Hopkins University).
Transcranial direct current stimulation and transcranial magnetic stimulation have been the subject of many studies concerning their possible cognitive effects. “One of the proposed mechanisms of action for neuromodulatory techniques, such as TMS and tDCS is [the] induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD)-like phenomena” (Brasil-Neto, 2012). Some of the most vital neurobiological processes for memory and learning require LTP and LTD. “This fact has led to an instant interest in the study of possible effects of tDCS on memory consolidation, retrieval, or learning of various tasks” (Brasil-Neto, 2012).
Michael Weisach, from the Mind Research Network for Neurodiagnostic Discovery, has been working with the United States Air Force on tDCS for improving soldier’s mental training. His findings have been very promising. Weisach has been putting expert soldiers in a fMRI to find out what areas of the brain activate during a recognition test of enemy assets from unmanned aerial vess...

... middle of paper ...

...fect. Researchers demonstrated that tDCS sensitizes the cortex to neuroplastic effects of rTMS, achieving lasting after-effects (Nelson,10).

TMS and tDCS could be a revolutionary new tool. When a certain action is done over and over again, it makes more neurons fire in the area associated with that task over time. tDCS activates more neurons in the area it is directed. When a task is done with a specific area being stimulated, it may be the equivalent of doing a task many more times than is actually being physically done. If one were to simultaneously include other forms of memory improvement techniques such as the loci (memory palace) method, major system and other mnemonic devices, it could be assumed that consolidation of these memories would be enhanced as well. Further studies and experiments are and will be done; the future of tDCS and TMS looks very bright.

Show More
Related

  • Antidepressant Synthesis Essay

    651 Words  | 2 Pages

    The magnetic pulses easily pass through the skull and causes small electrical currents that stimulate nerve cells in the targeted brain region. The magnetic field that is produced lasts 100 to 200 microseconds, and the procedure is less invasive than the ECT. rTMS may increase blood flow and the metabolism of glucose in the prefrontal cortex. It like ECT can additionally be a treatment option for mania but continues to be

    Read More

  • Wilder Penfield's Influence On The Brain

    562 Words  | 2 Pages

    The purpose of this paper is to inform the reader about Wilder Penfield and his research over electric brain stimulation. This essay will give a brief biography of Wilder Penfield, a description of his research, and finally discuss the insight his experiments provided and the influence they had on our body and behavior in general.

    Read More

  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

    2296 Words  | 5 Pages

    During the later part of the 19th century magents were used to induce neuronal activity; however, in the later part of the 20th century, Barker and his colleagues illustrated that magnetic stimulation in human motor cortexes produces depolarization of cortical areas (Eitan, & Lerer, 2006). TMS is a noninvasive therapeutic technique where an electromagnetic coil is put above the awake patient’s scalp and then magnetic pulses are moved throughout the brain (George, Lisanby, & Sackeim, 1999). The magnetic pulses and coil combine to create an electrical activity in the cortical tissue which can cause localized neuronal depolarization. Not only has TMS been the topic of many recent research studies, but deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (deepTMS) has also been researched to decipher the effectiveness for treating depression. DeepTMS is when the coils have been designed to create a more intense electrical field deep in the brain tissue. DeepTMS uses several separate points of projection around the periphery of the brain while minimizing the electrical charge to the br...

    Read More

  • Wilsons Heart Essay

    903 Words  | 2 Pages

    Finally, I doubt that deep brain stimulation could restore a target memory. So I did some research. Actually, the result of deep brain stimulation is somewhat random and even though you are trying to find the specific memory, it would need to take hours to get the right

    Read More

  • Essay On The Hippocampus And Fear Memory

    835 Words  | 2 Pages

    However, in regards to amnesic patients, the SMC has proven to be more widely accepted due to reported results implying that the hippocampus is important in consolidating LTM. In contrast, in anterograde patients, memories can be retrieved through recollection and familiarity. In fact, it has been proposed that the recollection process is mediated by the hippocampus.... ... middle of paper ... ...

    Read More

  • A Broad Analysis of Memory

    1032 Words  | 3 Pages

    The modal model of memory is one of the most basic models that describes memory today. It involves the three stages named sensory memory, short-term memory, and Long-term memory and how each stage transfers information from one to another (Hockenbury & Hockenbury, 2012). Healy and McNamara (1996) explained how the original modal model of memory, developed in 1890, consisted of only the primary and secondary memory. The primary memory was defined as, “…that which is held momentarily in consciousness…” and the secondary memory was defined to be, “…unconscious but permanent [memory].” As time progressed, the primary memory was then referred to as “short-term memory” while the secondary memory started to be called “Long-term memory”. In 1968, Atkinson and Shiffrin added what is now called “sensory memory” to the list, which consists of sensory registers for sight, sound and even touch. This new modal model of memory that is currently used also explains the transitions between short and Long-term memory.

    Read More

  • Causes of Bipolar Disorder and Prevalence

    1228 Words  | 3 Pages

    Kanske, P., Heissler, J., Schönfelder, S., Forneck, J., & Wessa, M. (2013). Neural correlates of

    Read More

  • Phonological Loop Model Of Memory

    2704 Words  | 6 Pages

    ...Baddeley (1966) study of encoding in the short term memory and long term memory supports the MSM model on the mode of processing such that words are processed on recall and both models share the same opinion that processing does influence recall. Finally, the MSM model of memory states that all information is stored in the long term memory, however, this interpretation contrasts with that of Baddeley (1974) who argue that we store different types of memories and it is unlikely that they occur only in the LTM store. Additionally, other theories have recognised different types of memories that we experience, therefore it is debatable that all these different memories occur only in the long-term memory as presumed by the multi-store model which states the long term memory store as with unlimited capacity, in addition it also fails to explain how we recall information.

    Read More

  • Retrograde and Anterograde Amnesia

    789 Words  | 2 Pages

    Making and storing memories is a complex process involving many regions of the brain. (3). Most experts agree that we have two stages of memories - short-term memory and long-term memory. Short-term memory is the immediate memory we have when we first hear or perceive someth...

    Read More

  • Automaticity in the Brain

    1452 Words  | 3 Pages

    Puttemans, V., Wenderoth, N., & Swinnen, S. P. (2005). Changes in brain activation during the

    Read More

  • True Or False Memories Research Paper

    822 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the field of cognitive neuroscience a memory study usually involves a combination of behavioral tasks and a machine that permits t...

    Read More

  • Learning And Memory Essay

    667 Words  | 2 Pages

    In order to understand the functional relationship between learning and memory we have to first define what both learning and memory are. Learning can be described as “the acquisition of knowledge or skills through experience, practice, or study, or by being taught” (Merriam-Webster, 2014). “Memory is the means by which we draw on our past experiences in order to use this information in the present” (Sternberg, 1999). Base on this definitions one can conclude memory is essential part of our lives. Without any memory of the past, we would not be able to operate in the present or reminisce about the future. We would not be able to remember what we did a few days ago, what we have accomplished today, or what we intend to do tomorrow. Without memory our ability to learn would not exist. Learning and Memory are linked to our cognitive abilities as well as that of animals. An example that can be used to show the relationship between learning and memory is the study of how a rat behaves in a maze. As we all know rats have been used in experimental mazes since at least the early 20th century. Hundreds if not thousands of studies have looked at how rats run different types of mazes, from T-maze, to radial arm mazes, and to water mazes. These maze studies help scientist study spatial learning and memory in rats. Maze studies helped us uncover general principles about learning that can be applied to several species, including mankind. In today’s modern societies, mazes tend to be used to determine whether different treatments affect learning and memory in rats. According to Kolata al, 2005 case study the tasks that comprise the learning battery were specifically chosen so that each one placed specific sensory, motor, motivational, and info...

    Read More

  • Psychological Perspectives: Abnormal Psychology

    2134 Words  | 5 Pages

    Tulving, E. and Craik, F. (2000) The Oxford handbook of memory. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Read More

  • Essay On Long Term Memory

    1714 Words  | 4 Pages

    Additionally, an older work had been done to examine and exemplify that the amount of activity in the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex during long-term memory encoding can to a certain degree predict the possibility that the material encoded will be successfully recalled. In contrast to this, a study on long-term memory retrieval has highlighted the reliability of this presence and found evidence of this in the anterior, frontopolar prefrontal cortex. (Breweret al.,1998

    Read More

  • The Relationship between Learning and Memory

    1663 Words  | 4 Pages

    Learning to tie shoes and ride a bike requires the encoding, storing, and retrieving of past observations of the procedure. With a lot of practice, children master these skills so well that they are able to remember them the rest of their lives. Memory is the storing of information over time. It is one of the most important concepts in learning; if things are not remembered, no learning can take place. As a process, memory refers to the "dynamic mechanism associated with the retention and retrieval of information about past experiences" (Sternberg 260). We use our memory about the past to help us understand the present. The study or memory in psychology is used in different ways, as well as there are many different ways to study how memory works in humans. In psychology there are many tasks used to measure memory, and different types of memory storages that human's use, such as sensory storing, or short term storing. There are also a lot of techniques that humans use to improve their memory, which they can use to learn, such as mnemonic devices. All these things can be classified as important issues in the study of human memory and ways of learning.

    Read More

More about Can Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Improve Memory?

Open Document