Can You Reverse Amnesia?
A well-known fact in human life is that memory tends to deteriorate with age. However, recent studies show that there may be a way to reverse memory loss.
New techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation may be able to reverse the effects of memory loss caused by aging. A study by Robert MG Reinhart and John A. Ngyen shows that this technique can make older adults’ memories work like those of a much younger person. Let’s take a closer look at this!
Memory loss with aging
When people reach a certain age, they often complain that they have trouble remembering names. They also forget dates or simple daily information.
One of the most common symptoms is the loss of working memory (also called operative memory). This is the type of memory that helps you with everyday tasks. Think, for example, of remembering telephone numbers, performing calculations, making decisions and dealing with everyday situations.
Working memory allows you to temporarily store and manipulate information. Over the years, working memory deteriorates, which can make it difficult to get through your day.
Neurons lose contact with each other
Why does working memory deteriorate in the absence of neurodegenerative disease? Scientists still don’t know the answer to this question.
A recently published study found that synchronicity between neurons when stimulated is important for well-functioning memory.
Neurons are cells that respond to stimuli and then pass the information on to other neurons. However, if they are out of sync, it is akin to listening to an orchestra where individual musicians all play to their own rhythm.
The result would be chaos. Something similar happens with neurons. When they become out of sync, the memory begins to fail.
Reverse amnesia in just 25 minutes
In a study published in the journal Nature, researchers used transcranial magnetic stimulation to stimulate neurons in an attempt to reverse memory loss. There were two groups of participants in the study. The first group was between sixty and seventy years old and the second group was about thirty years younger.
Researchers stimulated different parts of the participants’ brains related to memory for 25 minutes. As they stimulated the brain, they noticed that the neurons regained their synchronicity in those areas.
Surprisingly, the mental agility of the 60- to 70-year-old participants recovered after stimulation to a level comparable to that of the much younger volunteers. Unfortunately, this incredible reversal of the amnesia only lasted about 50 minutes. Then their memory returned to what it was like before the stimulation.
A hopeful therapy
Although the effects were only temporary, scientists believe this experiment shows that memory loss is not irreversible. Transcranial magnetic stimulation could also be a promising alternative therapy for people suffering from cognitive decline caused by Alzheimer’s.
Beyond memory
In addition to stimulating neurons to improve memory, this therapy can also be applied to other health conditions.
For example, some doctors use it to correct dysphagia caused by injury (swallowing difficulties). They stimulate the area of the brain associated with the muscles of the esophagus to improve swallowing ability.
Finally, as scientists work to perfect transcranial magnetic stimulation, they will undoubtedly discover new applications for this innovative technology.
Perhaps in the not-too-distant future, they’ll invent “wearable” devices that people can use at home to treat all sorts of health problems.
