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Innovative Study Enhances Spatial Memory through Advanced Neuro-Technologies
As individuals age, the ability to recall the location of everyday items naturally diminishes, a challenge that can escalate with the onset of dementia—a condition that emerges every three seconds globally, as reported by Alzheimer’s Disease International.
A collaboration between two laboratories at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) is exploring the enhancement of spatial memory through an experimental framework that uniquely integrates non-invasive deep-brain stimulation, virtual reality training, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). This study, recently published in Science Advances, reveals that delivering painless electrical impulses to the hippocampus and nearby structures can significantly bolster the brain’s ability to remember and navigate spaces effectively.
Friedhelm Hummel, head of the Hummel Lab, stated, “Our research focuses on improving spatial memory without the need for surgical procedures or pharmaceuticals, addressing critical issues faced by an expanding population—specifically the elderly, as well as individuals recovering from brain injuries and those living with dementia.”
This innovative study is the product of a partnership between Hummel’s team and Olaf Blanke’s Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience (LCNO), both part of EPFL’s Neuro X Institute. By merging Hummel’s expertise in non-invasive stimulation techniques with Blanke’s cognitive research in virtual navigation, the project has yielded a pioneering neuro-technological framework.
A Unique Fusion of Neuro-Technologies
The experimental procedure initiates with the placement of four benign electrodes on the heads of healthy participants to stimulate the hippocampus and related areas. Utilizing a technique known as transcranial temporal interference electric stimulation (tTIS), the researchers can deliver focused electrical pulses that do not cause any discomfort.
Participants are subsequently immersed in a virtual reality environment with the aid of VR goggles. Following previous findings by co-first-author Hyuk-June Moon, participants are tasked with traversing various locations and remembering significant landmarks. This virtual setting enables precise evaluation of spatial recall and navigation capabilities while participants undergo tTIS.
Elena Beanato, another co-first author of the study, remarked, “When stimulation was applied, we noticed a marked reduction in the time it took for participants to begin moving towards the location where they believed an object was situated. This suggests that stimulating the hippocampus may induce a temporary increase in brain plasticity, which, when paired with virtual environment training, enhances spatial navigation.”
The entire study was conducted within an fMRI scanner, which provided real-time imaging of brain activity. This setup enabled researchers to observe how the hippocampus and adjacent regions responded to tTIS during spatial navigation tasks. The fMRI results illustrated neural activity shifts correlated with the behavioral improvements, particularly in areas linked to memory and navigation, further elucidating the impact of non-invasive stimulation on brain function.
This successful integration of cutting-edge technologies at EPFL’s Neuro X Institute positions Campus Biotech among the few locations worldwide capable of combining all three experimental methodologies within one study.
Olaf Blanke added, “The synergy between tTIS, virtual reality, and fMRI creates a meticulously controlled and innovative approach to understanding the brain’s responsive mechanisms to stimulation and its subsequent effects on cognitive tasks. Looking ahead, we aspire to leverage this method to devise targeted therapeutic options for those affected by cognitive deficiencies—providing a non-invasive pathway to enhance memory and spatial orientation.”
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