Harnessing Brain Stimulation to Enhance Memory

Abstract

Across the world, people are living longer. This phenomenon is creating a demographic shift: by 2050, the number of people aged 60 and older is expected to double and the number of people older than 80 is expected to triple [1] . A growing elderly population also means an increase in age-related health concerns. In particular, with age comes normal memory decline as well as an increased risk of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. All this means that now more than ever the world needs interventions to support memory. From developing memory protheses to improving memory consolidation during sleep, neurostimulation is one particularly promising type of intervention for enhancing memory.