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Electrically zapping people's brains could improve their memory, according to new research.
According to scientists at Boston University, the treatment improves "working memory", which is the ability to keep information in mind for a few seconds. This area of the brain is responsible for things like taking medications, paying bills, doing grocery shopping or planning.
Senior researcher Robert Reinhart thinks that this may one day help people with dementia like Alzheimer's disease, according to AP. "It's where your awareness lives … where you work on information," Dr. Reinhart said.
The electric current was sent through a tiny, well-fitted capsule that also monitored the brainwaves, according to the article published in the British scientific journal Nature. The zaps seemed to be a slight tingling for about 30 seconds but were then imperceptible.
The idea is to improve communication between the prefrontal cortex of the brain and the temporal cortex, as these two areas are often out of sync when someone loses their memory. The researchers succeeded in encouraging these areas to synchronize these simulations.
The study included 42 participants in their 20s and 42 other people aged 60 to 76 (Getty Images)
The study included 42 participants aged 20 as well as 42 others aged 60 to 76 years. During the check, older participants were less able to recall images on a screen than the youngest group. However, during and after 25 minutes of brain stimulation, they were equally successful.
"The end result was a rapid improvement in working memory performance exceeding a 50-minute post-stimulation period," researchers wrote.
"The findings provide insight into the physiological underpinnings of age-related cognitive impairment and help lay the groundwork for future nonpharmacological interventions targeting aspects of cognitive decline."
According to Dr. Reinhart, the benefits could last up to five hours after the end of the stimulation.
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