Electrostimulation can improve working memory in people

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https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/04/190412130954.htm

 Working memory is part of the short-term memory system, which allows us to hold in new information for a brief amount of time. It is the area where the conscious lives, is active whenever a person makes decisions, reasons with themselves or others, and recalls information. Researcher Rob Reinhart stated that, “Working memory starts to decline in our late 20s and early 30s, as certain areas of the brain gradually become disconnected and uncoordinated.” Between the ages 60s and 70s, neural connections in the brain have deteriorated or decreased, which can lead to cognitive impairments. Researchers Rob Reinhart and John Nguyen gathered a group of individuals in their 20s and another group in their 60s and 70s. Both groups performed memory tasks, which required them to view an image, take a pause, then try to identify whether the second image was different from the original one. While the younger group did much better, once the older group received 25 minutes of mild stimulation delivered through scalp electrodes, differences between the groups disappeared. As a result, the memory boost lasted almost to the 50-minute time window. 

 In my Research Methods in Psychology course, I am currently conducting an experiment based on working memory in college students. The purpose of this study is to find the relationship between testosterone modulation via watching a competition and working memory. Using a within-subjects design, participants completed a demographics questionnaire, watched a video portraying intense (hockey) or non-intense (tennis) competition, and then performed a memory task (digit span) with eight different levels. My research study and the one in the article both involved participants to recall information they were recently exposed to. However, in Reinhart and Nguyen’s experiment, the elder group received electrostimulation to help improve their working memory. On the other hand, my experiment used videos of competition to help improve students working memory skills. By viewing different levels of competition, a person’s testosterone levels could potentially increase, which could lead to better working memory.          

Comments

  1. Micah McMillianApril 21, 2019 at 10:03 PM

    Working memory can also be strengthened naturally and not just through scalp electrodes. Last semester in my developmental psychology class we learned that yes, working memory does deteriorate as years progress, but if you stimulate the mind with exercises the chances of it weakening can be shortened.

    The exercises don't even have to be long and complex. Daily crossword puzzles and sudoku are quick fun ways to ensure the mind stays in tact. We learned that the brain is like a muscle, if you don't use it past its everyday simple processes it will eventually atrophy but if it is regularly stimulated working memory can last far beyond its estimated usual decline.

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  2. Brenda VillanuevaApril 21, 2019 at 10:18 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  3. Brenda VillanuevaApril 21, 2019 at 10:20 PM

    According to the article, “Depression in early adulthood linked to memory loss in your fifties” a study conducted by researchers at the University of Sussex revealed that when people had more than one episode of depression or anxiety, they were at a higher risk of decreased memory functions by later in life. In my Abnormal Psychology class, we learned that depression and anxiety are caused by low levels of serotonin. Likewise, the article “Boosting memory: Serotonin receptor may be the key” states that the hippocampus specifically, the CA1 region plays an important role in long-term memory. The CA1 region is strongly influenced by serotonin levels. The study found that when serotonin was increased, neuronal communication in the hippocampal region CA1 became stronger. This resulted in improving the spatial memory of the mice. Therefore, stimulation of the hippocampus could lead to better cognitive functioning in older people.

    https://neurosciencenews.com/early-depression-memory-loss-10934/
    https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321774.php

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