The Effect Of Stimulating Brain Oscillations On Memory Performance

Pinnington, N., Elliott, A., Sciences, F. of L., Manchester and Kingdom, U. (2007) Proceedings of the physiological society. Available at: http://www.physoc.org/proceedings/abstract/Proc%20Physiol%20Soc%208PC39 (Accessed: 3 March 2016).

Memory refers to the persistence of learning in a state that can be revealed at a later time (Squire, 1987). A memory is a network of neocortical neurons and the connections that link them. That network is formed by experience as a result of the concurrent activation of neuronal ensembles that

The brain is one of the most complex organ in our bodies. To learn about the brain scientists use electrical stimulation. Electrical stimulation is the use of electrical probes to determine functions of the brain. Clinical observation of patients have also helped scientists learn more about the brain. Case studies of different patients such as Phineas Gage have helped to learn about the different functions of the brain and how they work together to perform complex activities. (Barron’s AP Psychology 6th Edition)

Among these different processes are encoding, storage, consolidation, and retrieval. This study hypothesized that the hippocampus plays a different role in each of these. The method of this study is especially unique because it used temporary chemical inactivation of the hippocampus, which had not been done before. This temporary inactivation is unique because it lets the researchers selectively assess the role of the hippocampus during each of the processes discussed above. To test encoding, the inactivation occurred during learning of a maze task; to test retrieval, inactivation occurred during a retention task. Results indicate the temporary inactivation of the hippocampus impairs both encoding and retrieval. To test long-term consolidation, rats were trained and then separate groups received hippocampal treatment for different amounts of time between one and five days. Results showed that temporary inactivation during this time period disrupts memory for the already learned task. This study partially supports the result of the study by Eldridge et al. (2000) in that they both show the hippocampus is necessary for memory retrieval. However, it does not address the retrieval of different types of memory. This study also supports the idea from Wang et al. (2012) that the hippocampus may be involved in consolidation and storage of new memories but not necessarily of older

Research has shown that there is “greater activation in the left inferior frontal and medial temporal lobes” (Stanford, 2006, p. 208) during the encoding of words which were later remembered as compared to those which were forgotten. The sensations perceived by sensory nerves are decoded in the hippocampus of the brain into a single experience (Mastin, 2010). The hippocampus analyses new information and compares and asssociates it with previously stored memory (Mastin, 2010). Human memory is associative in that new information can be remembered better if it can be associated to previously acquired, firmly consolidated information (Mastin, 2010). The various pieces of information are then stored in different parts of the brain (Mastin, 2010). Though the exact method by which this information is later identified and recalled has yet to be discovered, it is understood that ultra-short term sensory memory is converted into short term memory which can then later be consolidated into long term memory (Mastin, 2010).

Cortical stimulation therapy. This stimulates your brain with electrical currents to make it work better.

Goals and Missions. The website states “we offer a wide variety of age-appropriate child care programs designed to help your child's physical, cognitive and emotional development”. This is a private school that offers a program to children between six weeks and twelve years old. This school uses a curriculum named Brain Waves Exclusive Curriculum. According to the website, “the philosophy is “Hug First, Then Teach” as we understand that secure and safe emotional attachment is vital for the growth and development of your child’s brain”. The classroom has many stimulating materials for exploration and to develop sensory experiences.

Because fEPSP increased in all four of the groups of brain slices, this indicates that LTP can be induced over a range of burst frequencies. Grover et al. (2009) found that LTP occurred with burst frequencies ranging from 0.05 to 10 Hz. However, unlike Grover et al. (2009) who found that stimulation in the delta range induced the most prominent LTP, this experiment did not find this same effect. However, in the two groups of brains slices kept at a temperature of 25°C it appears as though a burst

Whether aging impair learning related long-term plasticity at LESN-L7MN synapses? (Aim 1). Though several studies have brought insights into the aging associated behavioral, cellular and electrophysiological changes, none of these studies have examined learning related long-term synaptic plasticity at LE SN-L7MN synapses connections of GWR during aging. First, using the semi-intact preparation [6,34], we will measure basal electrophysiological

Repetitive TMS (rTMS), involves repeated application of TMS pulses, may facilitate or suppress brain activity with variable behavioral effects. Research generally shows that the functional effects of rTMS on cortical excitability depend on stimulation intensity, frequency and the overall stimulation pattern. It appears that rTMS repeated at fixed high-frequency intervals (> 4 Hz) increase cortical excitability, while stimuli repeated at low-frequency (~ 1Hz) decrease it. The possibility of varying rTMS parameters (intensity, pattern, duration) makes the potential effects and therapeutic outcomes even more unpredictable (6). Furthermore, the effectiveness of rTMS may be influenced by the nature of the underlying pathological

Steve Ramirez, Xu Liu, Pei-Ann Lin, Junghyup Suh, Michele Pignatelli, Roger L. Redondo, Tomás J. Ryan, Susumu Tonegawa

Synaptic plasticity refers to a process through which the brain undergoes neural changes due to alterations in synaptic strength. Many studies have demonstrated that these synapses have the ability to strengthen or weaken on account of synaptic activity. In other words, an increase in synaptic activity will further strengthen that connection, making it more sensitive to a particular stimulus. Conversely, a decrease in synaptic activity will weaken the connection such that it loses its sensitivity to a given stimulus. The neuronal events that result in the strengthening or weakening of a synapse are explained through two mechanisms – Long-Term Potentiation (LTP) and Long-Term Depression (LTD). In fact, scientists believe that the coupling of these two mechanisms essentially contributes to memory and learning of an individual.

Alzheimer's, a progressive disease that destroys memory function. Although doctors and scientists have worked tirelessly over the years, there is currently no cure. Recently the University of Pennsylvania conducted a study, with Dr. Doris Greenblatt as one of their patients, to pave the way for brain electrode shocking therapy. These “well-timed pulses” would be implanted in the patient’s brain to enhance their poor functioning memory (Carey). Benedict Carey, a medical journalist for the New York Times, asserts in “Pacemaker for the Brain Can Help Memory, Study Finds” that using electrodes to target parts of the brain that don’t function properly “is a breakthrough moment” in alzheimer’s research (Carey). Carey supports this assertion by explaining

Learning is a very important aspect of humans and creatures alike. Not only is it essential to the survival and adaption into this world but it also defines who we are as individuals (Schiller et al, 2010; Tronson & Taylor, 2007). Memories from past experiences shape the people that we are today. A crucial element to learning is memory, without it we would not be able to retain information. The process of memory is very distinct and consists of several different stages: acquisition of memory, consolidation, retrieval and then either reconsolidation or extinction (Debiec & Ledoux, 2004; Diergaarde, Schoffelmeer & De Vries, 2008). As memory is such a critical aspect of learning, it is no wonder that its distinct process has become the topic of much research in the neurobiological universe (Hupbach et al, 2007; Nader & Hardt, 2009).