Claims magnetic brain stimulation helps memory

ConclusionIn this study, TMS was found to improve performance on the associative memory test by more than 20%, whereas sham stimulation had no significant effect.TMS also increased connectivity between specific cortical (grey-matter) regions of the brain and the hippocampus.This interesting research increases our knowledge of how memory works. However, it was a very small trial with only 16 participants. It is also unclear whether electromagnetic stimulation would be effective for people with memory disorders such as dementia. The media has reported that the researchers are now planning to study the effect of TMS on people with early loss of memory ability. Long-term studies are also required to determine how long the improved memory performance lasts and to ensure that electromagnetic stimulation of the brain doesn’t have any adverse effects. Dementia remains a poorly understood condition, and claims that brain training exercises have a definitive protective effect against the condition have not held up to scrutiny. That said, keeping the brain active through memory intensive activities such as learning a new language, a musical instrument, or even just picking up a book cannot hurt. Keeping the mind active has been shown to improve quality of life.Analysis by Bazian. Edited by NHS Choices. Follow Behind the Headlines on Twitter. Join the Healthy Evidence forum. Links To The Headlines Magnetic brain stimulation treatment shown to boost memory. The Guardian, August 28 2014E...
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Neurology Source Type: news