Closed-loop stimulation of temporal cortex rescues functional networks and improves memory

• Published in: Nature communications Vol. 9; no. 1; pp. 365 - 8
• Main Authors: Ezzyat, Youssef, Wanda, Paul A., Levy, Deborah F., Kadel, Allison, Aka, Ada, Pedisich, Isaac, Sperling, Michael R., Sharan, Ashwini D., Lega, Bradley C., Burks, Alexis, Gross, Robert E., Inman, Cory S., Jobst, Barbara C., Gorenstein, Mark A., Davis, Kathryn A., Worrell, Gregory A., Kucewicz, Michal T., Stein, Joel M., Gorniak, Richard, Das, Sandhitsu R., Rizzuto, Daniel S., Kahana, Michael J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 06.02.2018; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 631/378/1595/2167; 631/378/2649; 631/477/2811; 9/26; Binomial distribution; Brain; Coding; Computer memory; Electrical stimuli; Electrodes; Humanities and Social Sciences; Lobes; multidisciplinary; Probability; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Stimulation; Temporal lobe
• ISSN: 2041-1723; 2041-1723
• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-02753-0

Memory failures are frustrating and often the result of ineffective encoding. One approach to improving memory outcomes is through direct modulation of brain activity with electrical stimulation. Previous efforts, however, have reported inconsistent effects when using open-loop stimulation and often target the hippocampus and medial temporal lobes. Here we use a closed-loop system to monitor and decode neural activity from direct brain recordings in humans. We apply targeted stimulation to lateral temporal cortex and report that this stimulation rescues periods of poor memory encoding. This system also improves later recall, revealing that the lateral temporal cortex is a reliable target for memory enhancement. Taken together, our results suggest that such systems may provide a therapeutic approach for treating memory dysfunction. Memory lapses can occur due to ineffective encoding, but it is unclear if targeted brain stimulation can improve memory performance. Here, authors use a closed-loop system to decode and stimulate periods of ineffective encoding, showing that stimulation of lateral temporal cortex can enhance memory.