Modulation of Human Memory by Deep Brain Stimulation of the Entorhinal-Hippocampal Circuitry

Neuron. 2020 Apr 22;106(2):218-235. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2020.02.024.

Abstract

Neurological disorders affecting human memory present a major scientific, medical, and societal challenge. Direct or indirect deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the entorhinal-hippocampal system, the brain's major memory hub, has been studied in people with epilepsy or Alzheimer's disease, intending to enhance memory performance or slow memory decline. Variability in the spatiotemporal parameters of stimulation employed to date notwithstanding, it is likely that future DBS for memory will employ closed-loop, nuanced approaches that are synergistic with native physiological processes. The potential for editing human memory-decoding, enhancing, incepting, or deleting specific memories-suggests exciting therapeutic possibilities but also raises considerable ethical concerns.

Keywords: deep brain stimulation; entorhinal cortex; hippocampus; memory; neuromodulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / therapy
  • Deep Brain Stimulation*
  • Dementia / psychology
  • Dementia / therapy
  • Entorhinal Cortex / physiology*
  • Hippocampus / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Memory / physiology*
  • Memory Disorders / psychology
  • Memory Disorders / therapy
  • Nerve Net / physiology*